GB2465006A

GB2465006A - Radiator valve

Info

Publication number: GB2465006A
Application number: GB0820164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Warren Bancroft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-04
Filing date: 2008-11-04
Publication date: 2010-05-12
Also published as: GB0820164D0

Abstract

A radiator valve for installation between a radiator in a central heating system and a shut-off valve on the system's pipe work that connects to the radiator comprises a valve body 20 having an externally threaded first stub 22 for screwed connection with a threaded socket 13 of the radiator. It further comprises a second stub 24 for connection to the shut-off valve. A liquid flow passage 21 extends through the body between the first and second stubs, and a valve member 30 is mounted in the passage. The valve member moves between open and closed settings, and is held in the passage by a retaining ring 33. The retaining ring 33 is externally threaded and engages with internal threads 34 formed in the passage 21 such that the hole through the retaining ring forms a part of the flow passage. This allows the radiator to remain full even when being disconnected from the system.

Description

RADIATOR VALVE

This invention relates to a radiator valve for installation between a radiator of a wet central heating system and a shut-off valve provided on the pipework of the system, which shut-off valve would normally be connected to the radiator.

Usually, a radiator has an inlet into which hot water heated by a boiler enters, and an outlet through which cooled water returns to the boiler for reheating. It is usual for a shut-off valve to be connected to the inlet and the outlet so that the radiator can be isolated, typically for removal from the system, though one of those shut-off valves may be thermostatically controlled to regulate water flow through the radiator and the other may be used for balancing the system.

Even when the shut-off valves on the inlet and outlet are both closed, there is still water in the radiator which will run out when the radiator is disconnected from the shut-off valves, for example for replacement, maintenance or painting. Draining the radiator before removal is difficult as the water will run somewhat randomly from the loosened connection. Worse, the water in a wet central heating system is usually very dirty and contains thick limescale and corrosion deposits, which if spilt can stain the wall or flooring.

The problem of draining a radiator has been largely overcome by providing two shut-off valves in series between the pipework of the central heating system and radiator inlet, and between the pipework and radiator outlet. The radiator can then be removed by closing and then separating both pairs of shut-off valves, so that water in the radiator remains in place.

Although providing two pairs of shut-off valves between the central heating system and the radiator alleviates some of the problems with removing radiators, if not fitted ab initio space considerations generally prevent the installation of a second valve between one existing shut-off valve already provided on the system pipework and a radiator. Also, the valves tend to become blocked over time by the sludge in the central heating system. Known valves for connection between a radiator and the shut-off valves attached to central heating pipework cannot be easily dismantled for cleaning and maintenance to address this problem.

According to this invention there is provided a radiator valve for installation between a radiator of a wet central heating system and a shut-off valve provided on pipework of the system for connection to the radiator, the valve comprising a valve body having an externally threaded first stub for screwed connection with a threaded socket of the radiator, a second stub for connection to the shut-off valve, a liquid flow passage extending through the body between the first and second stubs, a valve member mounted in the passage for movement between open and closed settings, and a retaining ring for the valve member to hold the member in the passage, the retaining ring being externally threaded and engaged with internal threads formed in the passage whereby the bore through the retaining ring forms a part of the passage.

A valve according to this invention when installed on both the inlet and the outlet of the radiator will prevent spillage of water therefrom when the radiator is disconnected from the shut-off valves attached to the pipework. Further, the valve member can be removed from the valve for replacement and cleaning by removing the retaining ring, so that the entire valve does not need to be replaced if it becomes blocked or damaged.

It is preferred that the valve member of the valve is part-spherical and rotatably mounted within the valve body. The valve member preferably has a through bore, which forms part of the passage to permit the flow of fluid when the valve member is in the open setting. Rotation of the valve member will move the through bore out of alignment with the passage, and when the valve member is sufficiently rotated the flow of fluid through the passage will be blocked by the body of the valve member.

To facilitate the rotation of the valve member between the open and closed setting, it is preferred that the valve further comprises a rotatable shaft disposed within the valve body, engaged with the valve member. Said shaft is preferably accessible from the outside of the valve body, so it may easily be rotated by a user. So that the shaft can engage with the valve member, it is preferred that the inner end of the shaft has a key, which engages with a corresponding slot in the valve member. To facilitate the rotation of the shaft by a user, it is preferred that the outer end of the shaft has a cross slot adapted to be engaged by a screwdriver or the like. Alternatively, the outer end of the shaft may protrude from the valve body and provided with a knob or the like, for rotation by hand.

To ensure that the valve is watertight, it is preferred that a sealing ring is disposed around the shaft within the valve body and/or between the retaining ring and the valve member.

So that it may be better understood, one embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic rear view of a radiator installation with two valves according to this invention; Figure 2 shows a cross section through a valve of this invention, the valve being in a closed setting; Figure 3 shows a cross section of the valve of Figure 2 in an open setting; Figure 4 shows a side view of the valve of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 shows a view of one end of the valve of Figures 1 to 4; and Figure 6 shows the other end view of the valve of Figures 1 to 5.

Figure 1 shows a radiator installation of a wet central heating system and incorporating two valves, generally indicated 9 and 10, according to the invention.

The radiator has a water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13. Existing pipework of the system includes a feed water pipe 16 connected to a thermostatic shut-off valve and a return water pipe 19 connected to a balancing shut-off valve 18. The two valves 9, 10 of this invention are fitted between the thermostatic shut-off valve 15 and the radiator inlet 12, and between the balancing valve 18 and the radiator outlet 13 Figures 2 to 6 show various views of valve 9, although valve 10 is identical.

Valve 9 comprises a body section generally indicated 20, a passage 21 along the body section 20 through which fluid may flow, a part-spherical valve member 30 rotatably mounted in the passage 21 to regulate the flow of water through the passage 21 and a shaft 40 engaged with the valve member 30 to effect the rotation of the valve member 30.

The body section 20 comprises a first stub 22, a second stub 24 and a hexagonal section 25 positioned therebetween. The first stub 22 has an external screw thread 23 for connection to a corresponding internal thread (not shown) on the radiator 11 inlet 12 or outlet 13, and an internal thread 34 on the inner surface thereof. The second stub 24 has a generally circular cross section and a plain outer surface for connection to a compression joint on a shut-off valve. The hexagonal section 25 can be turned by a spanner when installing the valve 9 in the inlet (or outlet) of a radiator.

The passage 21 extends through the first stub 22, the hexagonal section 25 and the second stub 24. In the first stub 22 and the hexagonal section 25, the passage 21 has a diameter slightly larger than that of valve member 30 to permit entry and removal of the valve member 30. The internal diameter of the second stub 24 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the valve member 30.

The valve member has a through bore 31 and at one end a slot 36. The valve member 30 is rotatable between an open setting as shown in Figure 3 where through bore 31 is coaxial with passage 21, and a closed setting as shown in Figure 2 where the passage 21 is blocked by the body of the valve member 30.

The valve member 30 is mounted in the passage 21 within the hexagonal section 25, and one side thereof abuts the second stub 24. The valve member 30 is held in place at the other side by removable retaining ring 33, which has an external screw thread engaged with internal thread 34. A sealing ring 32 is positioned between the retaining ring 33 and the valve member 30 to create a watertight seal.

Rotation of the valve member 30 is controlled by rotation of shaft 40, which is disposed in a bore through one face of the hexagonal section 25. The shaft 40 has a key 41 which engages with slot 36 on the valve member 30. Disposed on shaft 40 is flange 43, which abuts the body 20 of the valve to prevent removal of the shaft 40 out through the hexagonal section 25 in one direction. The shaft 40 has a cross slot 42 in the outer end permitting use of a suitable tool such as a screwdriver to rotate said shaft 40. A sealing ring 44 is disposed around the shaft 40 to provide a watertight seal.

The retaining ring 33, sealing ring 32, valve member 30 and shaft 40 may be removed for cleaning and maintenance. As is more clearly shown in Figure 5, diametrically opposed pin holes 45 are provided in the outwardly-disposed face of the retaining ring 33. A cylindrical tool (not shown) receivable in passage 21 and having pins positioned to locate into the pin holes 45 may be used to unscrew the retaining ring 33. Once the retaining ring 33 is unscrewed and removed, sealing ring 32, and valve member 30 can be taken out through the passage 21. The shaft 40 can be pushed into the passage 21 and removed.

In use, valve 9 is installed onto the outlet 12 of the radiator 11 with the first stub 22 screwed into the outlet 13 and the second stub 24 inserted into a compression joint on thermostatic valve 15. Valve 10 is installed in a similar manner to inlet 13 and balancing valve 18. When the valves 9, 10 are arranged as shown in Figure 3 with the through bore 13 of the spherical valve member 30 coaxial with respect to the passage 21, water can flow through the feed water pipe 16, thermostatic valve 15 and valve 9 into the inlet 12 of radiator 11. Water exits the radiator 11 through outlet 13, valve 10 and balancing valve 18 into return water pipe 19.

When the radiator 11 is to be removed, valves 15 and 18 are closed to prevent water flow from the pipework into the radiator 11. A screwdriver is used to turn the shafts 40 of valves 9 and 10 by 90°, which rotates the respective valve member 30 so that through bore 31 is no longer aligned with the passage 21.

Water cannot flow past the body of valve member 30 so any water in the radiator 11 is isolated. The valves 9, 10 can then be detached from valves 15, 18 respectively by releasing the compression joints, whereafter the radiator 11 may be removed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A radiator valve for installation between a radiator of a wet central heating system and a shut-off valve provided on pipework of the system for connection to the radiator, the valve comprising a valve body having an externally threaded first stub for screwed connection with a threaded socket of the radiator, a second stub for connection to the shut-off valve, a liquid flow passage extending through the body between the first and second stubs, a valve member mounted in the passage for movement between open and closed settings, and a retaining ring for the valve member to hold the member in the passage, the retaining ring being externally threaded and engaged with internal threads formed in the passage whereby the bore through the retaining ring forms a part of the passage.
2. A radiator valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve member is part-spherical and rotatably mounted within the valve body, the valve member having a through bore which forms part of the passage when the valve member is in the open setting.
3. A radiator valve as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the valve further comprises a rotatable shaft disposed within the valve body and engaged with the valve member, said shaft being accessible from the outside of the valve body.
4. A radiator valve as claimed in claim 3, wherein an inner end of the shaft has a key which engages with a slot in the valve member.
5. A radiator valve as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein an outer end of the shaft has a cross slot adapted to be engaged by a screwdriver to rotate said shaft.
6. A radiator valve as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein a sealing ring is disposed around the shaft within the valve body.
7. A radiator valve as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing ring is disposed between the retaining ring and the valve member.
8. A valve system as claimed in claim I and as substantially herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.