WO2004014763A1

WO2004014763A1 - Apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2004014763A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heung-Mook Kang
Original assignee: Heung-Mook Kang
Priority date: 2002-08-07
Filing date: 2003-08-07
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Also published as: AU2003248151A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid, which is capable of preventing some liquid vessels for receiving liquid or pipes for guiding liquid from being damaged by sufficiently absorbing the volume expansive force due to the temperature change in the liquid vessels or the pipes. The apparatus includes a flexible shock-absorbing member for absorbing the stream pressure of a fluid. A through hole is formed through an interior of a rigid outer enclosing member for enclosing the exterior of the shock-absorbing to member. Due to this structure, the apparatus for absorbing the volume expansive force of the liquid can effectively offsets the temperature change of the fluid which is contained in the liquid vessels or flows through the pipes, and can effectively offsets the pressure change of the volume due to freezing of the fluid. By uniformly maintaining a predetermined pressure of the fluid, it is possible to prevent the liquid vessels or the pipes from being damaged.

Description

APPARATUS FOR ABSORBING A VOLUME EXPANSIVE FORCE OF A

LIQUID

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid, which is capable of preventing some liquid vessels for receiving liquid or pipes for guiding liquid from being damaged by sufficiently absorbing the volume expansive force due to the temperature change in the liquid vessels or pipes.

BACKGROUND ART Generally, a liquid gauge, a liquid vessel, a pipe and a can are used as a storage place or a flowing passage. A liquid vessel or a pipe were damaged by an expansive force of the liquid due to a rise and a drop in temperature.

Various attempts for preventing the breakage of the liquid vessel or the pipes have been proposed. The common type of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid will be described herein with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view for showing a liquid vessel having a damage preventing apparatus according to a conventional technique.

As shown in FIG. 12, a liquid vessel 100 is provided with a housing 110. The housing 110 includes a sealing cap 120, a shock-absorbing member and a fluid hose. The sealing cap 120 is covered with an opening of the housing 110. The fluid hose 122 for guiding liquid protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the sealing cap 120. A shock-absorbing member 116 passes over an inner wall of the housing 110. The housing 110 is partitioned into a gas shock-absorbing chamber 116 and a fluid storing chamber 114 by the shock-absorbing member 116. The shock-absorbing member 116 is formed with a flexible material.

In the conventional damage preventing apparatus structured as above, the fluid flows into the fluid storing chamber 114 through the fluid hose 122. When the pressure of the fluid increases by the rise of the temperature, the shock-absorbing member 116 is curved toward the gas shock-absorbing chamber 112. Thus, a volume expansive force of the fluid is absorbed and can offset the pressure change of the fluid. At the same time, when the pressure of the fluid decreases by the fall of the temperature, the shock-absorbing member 116 is curved toward the fluid storing chamber 112. Thus, a volume expansive force of the fluid is absorbed and can offset the pressure change of the fluid storing chamber 114. By uniformly maintaining a predetermined pressure of the fluid, it is possible to prevent the housing 110 of the liquid vessel 100 from being damaged. But, the shock-absorbing member 116 is installed at an inner wall of the housing 110, and it causes the deterioration of the work efficiency. Moreover, when the shock-absorbing member 116 is damaged, the worker had to replaced the damaged liquid vessel 100 with a new one. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been developed to solve the above-mentioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid, which is capable of preventing some liquid vessels for receiving liquid or pipes for guiding liquid from being damaged by sufficiently absorbing the volume expansive force due to the temperature change in the liquid vessels or the pipes. It is another object of the present invention to provide to an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid capable of reducing the number of parts by having shock-absorbing member.

In order to accomplish above objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid as follows: an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid, the apparatus comprising: a flexible shock-absorbing member for absorbing the steam pressure of a fluid; and a hollow rigid outer enclosing member for enclosing the exterior of the flexible shock-absorbing member.

The flexible shock-absorbing material includes a plurality of shock-absorbing balls having a through hole formed therethrough, wherein the rigid outer enclosing member comprises a shock-absorbing chamber for receiving the shock-absorbing balls, the shock-absorbing balls includes a first gas inlet for injecting a gas into the shock-absorbing chamber, in which a net wire having a first through hole is formed at the wire net. The shock-absorbing member comprises a shock-absorbing material which expands and is contracted by receiving an external force, in which a plurality of air holes are formed through an interior of the shock-absorbing material, and the rigid outer enclosing member comprises a waterproof coating material for preventing water from penetrating into the shock-absorbing member.

The shock-absorbing material is made of a predetermined material that is different from that of the coating material.

The apparatus is installed at an interior of a liquid vessel, a pipe, a bottle.

The apparatus comprises a robber tube, in which a second gas inlet is installed at an exterior of the rubber tube for injecting air into the air chamber.

In the apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus includes a flexible shock-absorbing member for absorbing the stream pressure of a fluid. A through hole is formed through an interior of a rigid outer enclosing member for enclosing the exterior of the shock-absorbing member. Due to this structure, the apparatus for absorbing the volume expansive force of the liquid can effectively offsets the temperature change of the fluid which is contained in the liquid vessels or flows through the pipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view and a partly enlarged view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a shock-absorbing ball as illustrated in FIG. 1 :

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view for showing a modification of the absorbing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view for showing an another modification of the absorbing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; T KR2003/001585

6

FIG. 11 is a sectional view for showing an applied example of an apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention; and

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First embodiment

FIG. 1 shows applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a shock-absorbing ball 212 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the shock-absorbing apparatus 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a wire net 210 and a plurality of shock-absorbing balls 212. The shock-absorbing chamber 212a is formed in the wire net 210. A plurality of the first through holes 210b penetrate on all sides of the wire net 210. The shock-absorbing balls 212 are filled in the shock-absorbing chamber 212a of the wire net 210.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shock-absorbing balls 210 are made of an elastic material such as rubber. The first gas inlet 214 is formed at an surface of the shock-absorbing balls 210. The wire net 210 is positioned at a bottom portion of a housing LT4 by means of itself weight or installed at the bottom portion of the housing LT4 by means of a special fixing means such as a bolt. The gas is injected into the shock-absorbing balls 210 through the first gas inlet 214. LT8 is a passage for discharging the fluid from a receiving space LT4 of the housing LT 2 toward outside.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , the shock-absorbing apparatus 200 is installed at the bottom of the receiving space LT4 of the housing LT2 in the liquid vessel LT. The receiving space LT4 of the housing LT2 has an opened side. An inlet pipe LT6 protrudes from one side of the housing LT2. An outlet pipe LT8 protrudes from other side of the housing LT2. The inlet pipe LT6 and the outlet pipe LT 8 are connected to the receiving space LT4 of the housing LT2. A sealing cap LT9 is coupled with an opening portion of the housing LT2. The sealing cap LT9 may be installed as an indicator of a water gauge (not shown).

Hereinafter, the apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as above will be described in detail.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , the fluid flows into the receiving space LT4 of the housing through the inlet pipe LT6. In this state, when the pressure of the volume, due to the temperature change in the receiving space LT4 of the housing LT2, is changed, the volume expansive force of the fluid pushes the shock-absorbing balls 212 in the wire net 210. Thus, the volume expansive force is offset by compressing the shock-absorbing balls 212.

Second embodiment

FIG. 3 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in

FIG. 3, the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 includes a shock-absorbing material 310 and a coating layer 314. The shock-absorbing material 310 is made of a shock-absorbing rubber or a synthetic resin or an elastic material. The coating layer 314 is coated at an outer surface of the shock-absorbing material 310. A plurality of air holes>312 is formed at the shock-absorbing material 310. The coating layer 314 is made of a rubber or a synthetic resin or an elastic material. The shock-absorbing material 310 is made of a sponge type so as to largely form the difference of a volume due to the expansion and contraction. The coating layer 314 is made of a durable material to cover the shock-absorbing material 310. Preferably, the shock-absorbing material 310 selects the expansive and contractive element corresponding to the pressure in the liquid vessels or the pipes. Moreover, the shock-absorbing material 310 can be durable during the pressure change of the volume in the liquid vessels or the pipes.

The shock-absorbing apparatus 300 is applied to a various vessels and pipe lines. The shock-absorbing apparatus 300 has been explained in the first embodiment or will also be explained in more detail later in the fourth embodiment.

Third embodiment

FIG. 4 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the shock-absorbing apparatus 400 includes in lieu of shock-absorbing balls 212, a rubber tube 410, which is substituted therefore (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2). An air chamber 412 is formed in the rubber tube 410. A second gas inlet 414 is formed at an outer periphery surface of the rubber tube 410 in order to be connected to the air chamber 412. The rubber tube 410 is positioned or fixed at the bottom of the receiving space LT4 of the housing LT2 by means of a fixing means such as an adhesive agent. A gas is injected into the air chamber 412 of the rubber tube 410 through the second gas inlet 414.

Meanwhile, on using the rubber tube 410, the gas escapes from the rubber tube 410. Thus, the gas is injected into the rubber tube 410 as described above.

Hereinafter, the apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid according to the third embodiment of the present invention as above will be described in detail.

Referring again to FIG. 4, after the fluid flows into the receiving space LT4 of the liquid vessel LT through the inlet pipe LT4 of the housing LT2, it goes out of the receiving space LT4. In this state, when the pressure of the volume, due to the temperature change in the receiving space LT4 of the housing LT2, is changed, the volume expansive force of the fluid pushes the shock-absorbing balls 412 in the wire net 410. Thus, the volume expansive force is offset by compressing the shock-absorbing balls 212.

Fourth embodiment

FIG. 5 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 300 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a modification of the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG

7 shows another modification of the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, a passage P2 is formed in a pipe P. When pressing, drawing or welding methods form the pipe P, the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 is adhered to an inner wall of the passage P2 of the pipe P by means of an adhesive agent. At this time, the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 is formed in a pipe shape.

Referring to FIG. 6, the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 has a circular or an angular section, and a long-stick or a rope shape. The shock-absorbing apparatus 300 is longitudinally adhered to an inner wall of the passage P2 of the pipe P. Referring to FIG. 7, while the shock-absorbing apparatus 300 is adhered to the passage P2 of the pipe P, it can be inserted and positioned therefore.

FIG. 8 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, after the pipe P is cut into two parts in a predetermined position, the shock-absorbing apparatus 500 is connected to pipes 10. The shock-absorbing apparatus 500 has the first body 510. The wire net 512 is installed in the first body 510 in order to form a first inside passage 514 and a first hollow 516. A first hollows 516 are filled with a plurality of shock-absorbing balls 212 (Which have the same number in FIGS. 1 and 2). A plurality of a second through hole 518 is punched at the wire net 512. Due to this structure, the fluid passes along the wire net 512 and the first inner passage 514. In this process, when the fluid is positioned in the first inner passage 514, the volume expansive force due to the temperature change is applied to the shock-absorbing balls 212 via the second through hole 518 of the wire net 512. The volume expansive force of the fluid pushes the shock-absorbing balls 512 into the wire net 510. Thus, the volume expansive force is offset by compressing the shock-absorbing balls 512.

Sixth embodiment

FIG. 9 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 600 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the shock-absorbing apparatus 600 is connected to the cut pipes P. A second inner passage 614 and a second hollow 616 are formed in the shock-absorbing apparatus 600 by an elastic plate 610. A third gas inlet 618 is formed at a second body 612. A gas is filled in the second hollow 616 through the third gas inlet 618. Due to this structure, the fluid passes along the inlet pipe LT4 and the second inner passage 614. In this process, when the fluid is positioned in the second inner passage 614, the volume expansive force due to the temperature change is applied to the elastic plate 610. The volume expansive force of the fluid pushes the elastic plate 610 into the second hollow 616. Thus, the volume expansive force offsets by the elastic plate 610. While the shock-absorbing apparatus 600 is installed to the pipe P, it can be applied to various pipes.

Seventh embodiment

FIG. 10 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the shock-absorbing apparatus 700 is connected to the cut pipes P. The shock-absorbing apparatus 700 comprises a hollow third body 716. The third body 716 connects the pipes P to each other. The shock-absorbing apparatus 700 includes a shock-absorbing material 710 and a coating layer 714. A plurality of air holes 712 is formed at the shock-absorbing material 710. The coating layer 714 covers the shock-absorbing material 710. Eight embodiment

FIG. 11 shows an applied example of a shock-absorbing apparatus 800 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11 , a hollow bottle B has an opened upper portion. A cap B2 is coupled to an upper end of the bottle B. The shock-absorbing apparatus 800 has a circular or an angular shape. The shock-absorbing apparatus 800 includes a circular fixing plate 810 and a shock-absorbing material 812. The fixing plate 810 is mounted on an upper end of the bottle

B. The shock-absorbing material 812 is positioned in the bottle B in the vertical direction.

Hereinafter, the shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800 according to the second through eight embodiments of the present invention as above will be described in detail.

First, the fluid, which is contained in the liquid vessel LT, the pipe P, a connecting pipe (not shown) of the pipe P and the bottle B, generates the volume expansive force due to the rise and fall of the temperature. The volume expansive force causes a damage of the liquid vessel LT, the pipe P, a connecting pipe of the pipe P and the bottle B. But, the shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800 absorb the volume expansive force. The shock-absorbing materials 310, 710 and 812 are made to sufficiently absorb the pressure of the liquid vessel LT, the pipe P, a connecting pipe of the pipe P and the bottle B in a predetermined limit.

In this state, according to the temperature change of the fluid, the volume expansive force of the liquid vessel LT, the pipe P, a connecting pipe (not shown) of the pipe P and the bottle B rises. At this time, the shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800 sufficiently absorb the volume expansive force due to the temperature change. That is, the volume expansive pressure pushes all sides of the coating layers 314, 714 and 816, and then compresses the air hole 312 of the shock-absorbing materials 831 , 710 and 812. Thus, the volume expansive force is absorbed by the shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800. The coating layers 314, 714 and 816 prevent the shock-absorbing materials 831 , 710 and 812 from being damaged.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800 connect the pipes P. The fluid flows and stores through the pipes P.

In this process, according to the temperature change of the fluid, the volume expansive pressure is generated in the pipes P. The shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800 absorb the volume expansive force.

The shock-absorbing apparatuses 300-800 can be used as liquid vessels for receiving liquid or pipes for guiding the liquid, such as a liquid water gauge, a can, a boiler and heating pipe lines. Further, the water meter can be used by positioning a double small tube (not shown). An air or water of a predetermined amount can be projected in the tube.

As described above, the apparatus is described for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid, which is capable of preventing some liquid vessels for receiving liquid or pipes for guiding liquid from being damaged by sufficiently absorbing the volume expansive force due to the temperature change in the liquid vessels or the pipes. Also, the apparatus can effectively offset the temperature change of the fluid which is contained in the liquid vessels or which flows through the pipes, and can effectively offset the pressure change of the volume due to the freezing of the fluid.

In addition, since the shock-absorbing apparatus comprises the shock-absorbing material and the coating layer, it is possible to show an improvement of work efficiency and a reduction of a cost. Furthermore, since the coating layer protects the shock-absorbing material, it can be used in a semi-permanent manner.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for absorbing a volume expansive force of a liquid, the apparatus comprising: a flexible shock-absorbing member for absorbing the steam pressure of a fluid; and a hollow rigid outer enclosing member for enclosing the exterior of the flexible shock-absorbing member.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible shock-absorbing material includes a plurality of shock-absorbing balls having a through hole formed therethrough, wherein the rigid outer enclosing member comprises a shock-absorbing chamber for receiving the shock-absorbing balls, the shock-absorbing balls includes a first gas inlet for injecting a gas into the shock-absorbing chamber, in which a net wire having a first through hole is formed at the wire net.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shock-absorbing member comprises a shock-absorbing material which expands and is contracted by receiving an external force, in which a plurality of air holes are formed through an interior of the shock-absorbing material, and the rigid outer enclosing member comprises a waterproof coating material for preventing water from penetrating into the shock-absorbing member.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shock-absorbing material and the coating material are made of a material selected from the group consisting of a rubber, a synthetic resin and a silicon.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wherein the shock-absorbing material is made of a predetermined material which is the same that of the coating material.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shock-absorbing material is made of a predetermined material that is different from that of the coating material.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 3, wherein the apparatus is installed at an interior of a liquid vessel.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 3, wherein the apparatus is installed at an interior of a pipe.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 3, wherein the apparatus is installed at an interior of a bottle.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a robber tube, in which a second gas inlet is installed at an exterior of the rubber tube for injecting air into the air chamber.