GB2117522A

GB2117522A - Flow meter installations

Info

Publication number: GB2117522A
Application number: GB08215606A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Turner; Kevin Lillie; George Stoker
Original assignee: NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD WATER
Current assignee: NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD WATER
Priority date: 1982-03-24
Filing date: 1982-05-27
Publication date: 1983-10-12
Also published as: GB2117522B

Abstract

A water flow meter is installed in a pipe loop arranged in a pipe line 5a, 5b. The loop includes two back-to-back elbows 6, 9 mounted on a clip plate 99 by two integral C-clips 26, 29. The installation may be provided in a lined shaft 1 with a concrete base 4, with the meter 10 and a stop cock 11 readily accessible through a cover 12. Alternatively the pipe loop may be accommodated in a wall with a rising supply pipe on one side, and the meter being disposed to be accessible via a grille from the opposite side of the wall. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water flow meter This invention relates to water flow meter installations.

Such installations frequently have to be incorporated into the supply line to an existing building as well as being installed for new buildings.

An object of the invention is to provide a water meter installation which can be situated in a water supply line to a building or group of buildings without diversion of the supply line and iocating the meter in an accessible position for reading. For example, in buried pipe leading to the building, or a riser pipe within a wall of the building.

According to the invention a flow meter installation comprises aligned inlet and outlet connections and a pipe loop connected between the connections incorporating the flow meter. The pipe loop may conveniently be disposed in a plane generally at right angles to the alignment of the inlet and outlet connections.

By virtue of the aligned inlet and outlet connections it is possible to install one flow meter installation by cutting a length from an existing water supply line and joining to inlet and outlet connections to the cut ends of the supply line pipe. In the case of a buried outdoor supply line, the pipe loop may be disposed in space above the supply line, and within for example a lined inspection shaft, the meter being disposed in the upper part of the pipe loop. A flow control valve or stop cock may conveniently be located next to the meter for ease of access, to control the supply of water to the premises.

Where a rising pipe is embedded in, or disposed on the inner face of a building wall, the pipe loop may extend in a generally horizontal plane from the inner face of the wall, with the meter display installed on the outer side of the loop, for access to the meter from inside the building. The meter may again have flow control valves or stop cocks disposed next to it.

The inlet and outlet connections may comprise back to back elbow right angle bend pipes or pipe connections, which may be brazed together or clipped to prevent relative movement, or be incorporated into a single piece fitting. The pipe loop is preferably formed by suitably shaped standard pipe or standard pipe connecting the elbow connectors to the flow meter and stop cock which are preferably located on the side of the loop opposite the connectors, but may in practise be located where ever is most convenient.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a sectional/perspective view of a flow meter installation according to the invention as applied to a buried supply pipe line; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a flow meter installation according to the invention as applied to a rising supply pipe line, and Figure 3 shows a clip plate.

Referring first to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the invention is located in a shaft 1 in ground 2, the shaft being iined with a sleeve 3 to retain the shaft walls. The shaft has a recessed concrete or other floor or raft 4 below the level of a water supply pipe line 5, comprising an inlet portion 5a and an outlet portion Sb. The inlet portion 5a of pipe line 5 is connected by an elbow or right angle connector 6 to a pipe loop having a rising branch 7, and a falling branch 8, the latter being connected by a further elbow connector 9 to the outlet pipe portion 5b. The elbow connectors 6, 9 are disposed back to back on a clip plate 99 as shown or may be brazed or clipped together to prevent relative movement. These two members could be replaced by a single casting with two appropriately shaped passages.The clip plate 99 may comprise a plate with two C-shaped hooks of plastics material, at least the hooks being so flexible as to allow a pipe to be pushed into them.

A flow meter 10 and a stop cock or flow control valve 11 are located at the top of the pipe loop, the cock 11 being disposed after the meter in the flow direction. Because the meter 10 is disposed at the top of the pipe loop, it can conveniently be inspected and reading taken by lifting a cover 12. The meter 10 is typically at a depth of 30cms (1 foot) below ground level whereas the pipe may be at a depth of 70 to 100 cms. The pipe loop is disposed in a substantially vertical plane at right angles to the supply pipes.

A further valve 13, with an actuator designed to be operated by a special lever from above is disposed in the inlet pipe portion 5a to enable the meter 10 to be isolated in the event of leakage or damage arising.

Turning now to Figure 2, a rising supply pipe 21 is shown against a wall, on the interior side thereof.

The pipe 21 comprises an inlet part 21a and an outlet part 21b. Inlet part 21a is connected via an elbow connector 22 to a pipe loop comprising a first pipe section 23 and a second pipe section 24 connected in turn with a second elbow connector 25. The loop projects from a wall, and a flow meter 27 and a stop cock 28 are connected between the pipe sections 23 and 24 at the outer end of the loop. The meter 27 is conveniently located to be viewed from within the building and the stop cock 28 is also conveniently located for operation from within. A further cock 30 is connected into the inlet pipe part 21a to enable the meter and pipe loop to be cut off, in the event of leakage and to provide an internal stop cock for the premises.

As can be seen the pipe loop is disposed in a plane substantially at right angles to the supply pipe 21.

Pipework may be looped without need for elbows from inlet 6,22 and at outflow 9,25, indicated respectively, Figure 3 in chain dotted lines and, rising branch 7 to inlet portion 5a and falling branch 8 to outlet pipe Sb (Figure 1) respectively referenced alternatively with pipeloop 23 to inlet 21 a and second pipe loop 24to outlet pipe 21b (Figure 2).

1. Aflow meter installation comprising aligned inlet and outlet connections and a pipe loop connected between the connections, incorporating the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Water flow meter This invention relates to water flow meter installations. Such installations frequently have to be incorporated into the supply line to an existing building as well as being installed for new buildings. An object of the invention is to provide a water meter installation which can be situated in a water supply line to a building or group of buildings without diversion of the supply line and iocating the meter in an accessible position for reading. For example, in buried pipe leading to the building, or a riser pipe within a wall of the building. According to the invention a flow meter installation comprises aligned inlet and outlet connections and a pipe loop connected between the connections incorporating the flow meter. The pipe loop may conveniently be disposed in a plane generally at right angles to the alignment of the inlet and outlet connections. By virtue of the aligned inlet and outlet connections it is possible to install one flow meter installation by cutting a length from an existing water supply line and joining to inlet and outlet connections to the cut ends of the supply line pipe. In the case of a buried outdoor supply line, the pipe loop may be disposed in space above the supply line, and within for example a lined inspection shaft, the meter being disposed in the upper part of the pipe loop. A flow control valve or stop cock may conveniently be located next to the meter for ease of access, to control the supply of water to the premises. Where a rising pipe is embedded in, or disposed on the inner face of a building wall, the pipe loop may extend in a generally horizontal plane from the inner face of the wall, with the meter display installed on the outer side of the loop, for access to the meter from inside the building. The meter may again have flow control valves or stop cocks disposed next to it. The inlet and outlet connections may comprise back to back elbow right angle bend pipes or pipe connections, which may be brazed together or clipped to prevent relative movement, or be incorporated into a single piece fitting. The pipe loop is preferably formed by suitably shaped standard pipe or standard pipe connecting the elbow connectors to the flow meter and stop cock which are preferably located on the side of the loop opposite the connectors, but may in practise be located where ever is most convenient. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a sectional/perspective view of a flow meter installation according to the invention as applied to a buried supply pipe line; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a flow meter installation according to the invention as applied to a rising supply pipe line, and Figure 3 shows a clip plate. Referring first to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the invention is located in a shaft 1 in ground 2, the shaft being iined with a sleeve 3 to retain the shaft walls. The shaft has a recessed concrete or other floor or raft 4 below the level of a water supply pipe line 5, comprising an inlet portion 5a and an outlet portion Sb. The inlet portion 5a of pipe line 5 is connected by an elbow or right angle connector 6 to a pipe loop having a rising branch 7, and a falling branch 8, the latter being connected by a further elbow connector 9 to the outlet pipe portion 5b. The elbow connectors 6, 9 are disposed back to back on a clip plate 99 as shown or may be brazed or clipped together to prevent relative movement. These two members could be replaced by a single casting with two appropriately shaped passages.The clip plate 99 may comprise a plate with two C-shaped hooks of plastics material, at least the hooks being so flexible as to allow a pipe to be pushed into them. A flow meter 10 and a stop cock or flow control valve 11 are located at the top of the pipe loop, the cock 11 being disposed after the meter in the flow direction. Because the meter 10 is disposed at the top of the pipe loop, it can conveniently be inspected and reading taken by lifting a cover 12. The meter 10 is typically at a depth of 30cms (1 foot) below ground level whereas the pipe may be at a depth of 70 to 100 cms. The pipe loop is disposed in a substantially vertical plane at right angles to the supply pipes. A further valve 13, with an actuator designed to be operated by a special lever from above is disposed in the inlet pipe portion 5a to enable the meter 10 to be isolated in the event of leakage or damage arising. Turning now to Figure 2, a rising supply pipe 21 is shown against a wall, on the interior side thereof. The pipe 21 comprises an inlet part 21a and an outlet part 21b. Inlet part 21a is connected via an elbow connector 22 to a pipe loop comprising a first pipe section 23 and a second pipe section 24 connected in turn with a second elbow connector 25. The loop projects from a wall, and a flow meter 27 and a stop cock 28 are connected between the pipe sections 23 and 24 at the outer end of the loop. The meter 27 is conveniently located to be viewed from within the building and the stop cock 28 is also conveniently located for operation from within. A further cock 30 is connected into the inlet pipe part 21a to enable the meter and pipe loop to be cut off, in the event of leakage and to provide an internal stop cock for the premises. As can be seen the pipe loop is disposed in a plane substantially at right angles to the supply pipe 21. Pipework may be looped without need for elbows from inlet 6,22 and at outflow 9,25, indicated respectively, Figure 3 in chain dotted lines and, rising branch 7 to inlet portion 5a and falling branch 8 to outlet pipe Sb (Figure 1) respectively referenced alternatively with pipeloop 23 to inlet 21 a and second pipe loop 24to outlet pipe 21b (Figure 2). CLAIMS

1. Aflow meter installation comprising aligned inlet and outlet connections and a pipe loop connected between the connections, incorporating the flow meter.

2. An installation according to claim 1 wherein the pipe loop is disposed in a plane not coincident with the alignment of the inlet and outlet connections.

3. An installation according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the inlet and outlet connections comprise back to back elbow or right angle pipe bends or connections.

4. An installation according to claim 3 wherein the back to back elbow connectors are secured together to prevent relative movement.

5. An installation according to claim 3 wherein the elbow connectors are formed as a single fitting with appropriately configured flow passages through the fitting.

6. An installation according to any preceding claim wherein the pipe loop is located in a shaft providing access to a buried supply pipe, the meter being mounted at the upper end of the pipe loop.

7. An installation according to claim 6 wherein a stop cock or flow control valve is located adjacent the flow meter, and connected after the meter in the direction of flow.

8. An installation according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the inlet and outlet connections are connected in a riser supply pipe and the pipe loop is laterally disposed.

9. An ainstallation according to claim 4 wherein the pipe bends are connected by a clip plate of plastics material with C-shaped hooks into which the pipes can be pushed and secured substantially back to back.

10. A flow meter installation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.