GB1569260A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

GB1569260A – Domestic water taps
– Google Patents

GB1569260A – Domestic water taps
– Google Patents
Domestic water taps

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Publication number
GB1569260A

GB1569260A
GB4811875A
GB4811875A
GB1569260A
GB 1569260 A
GB1569260 A
GB 1569260A
GB 4811875 A
GB4811875 A
GB 4811875A
GB 4811875 A
GB4811875 A
GB 4811875A
GB 1569260 A
GB1569260 A
GB 1569260A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
water
tap
heating chamber
domestic
inlet
Prior art date
1976-11-22
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Expired

Application number
GB4811875A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

HOTSPRINGS Ltd

Original Assignee
HOTSPRINGS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1976-11-22
Filing date
1976-11-22
Publication date
1980-06-11

1976-11-22
Application filed by HOTSPRINGS Ltd
filed
Critical
HOTSPRINGS Ltd

1976-11-22
Priority to GB4811875A
priority
Critical
patent/GB1569260A/en

1980-06-11
Publication of GB1569260A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1569260A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING

F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING

F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL

F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters

F24H1/10—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium

F24H1/101—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply

F24H1/102—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply with resistance

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DOMESTIC WATER TAPS
(71) We HOTSPRINGS LIMITED a
British Company of 35, Warwick Road,
Wellesbourne, Warwickshire CV35 9NA do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:
This invention is concerned with domestic water taps, that is, water taps of the kind adapted to be fitted to a wash basin or sink and connected to a water supply conduit, and comprising a flow control member which may be manually operated to provide a flow water from the tape into the wash basin or sink.
This invention provides a domestic water tap as defined above, comprising:
a) A housing defining heating chamber and an inlet through which water may flow into the heating chamber and an outlet from which water may flow from the heating chamber’
b) An adjustable flow control member which is operative to control the rate of flow of water from the inlet through the chamber and from the outlet;
c) A heater which is operative to heat water in the heating chamber;
d) A pressure responsive mechanism adapted to cause the heater to be-energized in response to the attainment of a predetermined pressure in the device downstream of the flow control member.
Thus, by partial opening of the flow control member to allow a small water flow through the water tap and from the outlet.
the pressure responsive mechanism may be retained inoperative, and cold water. or water at unchanged temperature, will flow from the outlet. By further opening of the flow control member, the pressure responsive mechanism may be rendered operative.
causing the heater to be energised. and causing water to be heated as it flows through the heating chamber: by the use of a constant power heater, the temperature of water flowing from the outlet may be lowered by opening the flow control member still further, to permit a greater flow rate of water through the water tap.
The invention is particularly meritorious in premises such as bed-sitting rooms. a wash basin or sink of which may merely be provided with one cold water tap. Thus, the tap the subject of this invention may be fitted in place of such existing tap to provide both hot and cold water service.
Conveniently, the housing defines an inlet chamber communicating with the heating chamber. the inlet being provided by a passage extending into the inlet chamber and the outlet being provided bv a passage extending from the heating chamber, the flow control member being operative in the inlet chamber and the heater being located in the heating chamber.
By utilising as a pressure responsive mechanism a micro-switch and a phosphor bronze bellows extending. for example, into the heating chamber, and set so that the bellows operates the micro-switch on the attainment in the heating chamber of a positive pressure of, say l p.s.i., the heater may be caused to be energised at a flow rate from the outlet of typically 4 pints per minute. Where the heater operates at 3 kilowatts. this will produce. on flow of cold water through the tap hot water at a maximum temperature of about 115″F. On increase of the flow rate to. say. 8 pints a minute. the temperature of water flowing from the device may be reduced to about 76″F.
Conveniently. the housing defines a cylindrical cavity. and comprises a body providing a cover for the cavity, and having a hollow cylindrical core portion having of an exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter. extending from the cover. Thus, when the body is mounted on the housing, the lower and cylindrical walls of the cavity, together with the cover and exterior walls of the core, define a heating chamber of annular form.
The heater conveniently comprises a coiled heating element wound around the exterior cvlindrical wall of the core. preferably being of dimensions sufficient substantially to fill the annular heating chamber.
Preferablv the arrangement is such that water enters the heating chamber on side side of the heating chamber, and leaves the heating chamber from the opposite side whereby curvilinear, specifically semicircular, flow of water around the core, and over and through the heating element. is effected.
The bellows of the pressure responsive device is conveniently mounted on the core, for exmple on a circular base wall thereof with an interior of the bellows communicating with the heating chamber, and the exterior of the bellows being open to atmosphere and extending towards a trip lever of the micro-switch: thus. on build up of pressure in the heating chamber, the bellows moves towards the trip lever.
Convenientlv. the housing in formed from plastics, advantageously being moulded e.g.
by an injection operation and being provided with passages, screw holes and the like bv a subsequent machining operation; preferablv the body is likewise formed.
Conventikntlv. an acrylic polymer. such as ‘Perspex” (Registered Trade Mark) is used, conveniently subsequently being sprayed with an exterior coating. Alternativelv an epoxv resin may be used.
There will now be given a detailed description. to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing, of a domestic water tap which is a preferred embodiment of this invention. It is to be appreciated that this embodiment has been selected to illustrate this invention bv way of example.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure I is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment: and Figure 2 is an exploded sectional view of the housing thereof.
The domestic water tap which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is adapted to be mounted in an existing water system, for example in place of an existing cold water tap. over a wash basin or sink.
The water tap comprises a moulded housing 10. comprising an inlet portion 12 and a main body portion 24. integral therewith.
The housing is moulded from plastics material. in particular from an acrvlic copolvmer of methvl methacrvlate. subsequently subjected to various machining operations. and finished with a metallic spray.
The inlet portion 12 provides a threaded screw fitting 14. whereby the housing may be connected to a cold water pipe. an inlet passage 16 extending from the fitting to an inlet chamber 18. Mounted on the inlet portion 12. and operative within the inlet chamber 18. is a flow control member 20, comprising a valve member 21 movable in a direction axially of the inlet passage 16. by operation of a tap handle 22. towards and away from a seating surface 19 provided within the inlet chamber, to prevent or permit flow of water into the inlet chamber.
The main body portion 24 is generally cylindrical and defines a cylindrical cavity 26. defined bv side and base wall 27 and 28, respectively, into one side of which an intermediate passage 30 extends from the inlet chamber 18.
The intermediate passage 30 lies in a diametral plane of the cavity 26, and exiting from the opposite side thereof is an outlet passage 32. extending to a tap outlet fitting 34. which is suitable for having secured thereto an outlet pipe. or possibly a flow restricting valve.
The housing also comprises a body 40.
one also moulded from plastics material, and comprising a cover 42 and a hollow, cylindrical core 44 extending from the cover. The body 40 may be secured to the main body 24 bv screws S, the cover 42 closing the cavitv 26. with the core 44 located co-axially within the cavity 26, the exterior diameter of the core 44 being less than the diameter of the cavity 26. The space between the cylindrical wall 28 of the main body 24. and the exterior cylindrical wall of the core 44. is annular in form. and provides a heating chamber 46 of the water tap.
The water tap also comprises an electric heater, comprising a coiled wire heating element 48. which is wrapped around the cylindrical surface of the core 44. the thickness of the element being such that it substantially fills the heating chamber 46.
Extending through a lower wall 45 of the core 44 is an aperture, through which extends a phosphor bronze bellows 52 of a pressure responsive mechanism 50. said bellows being clamped in position by a screw-threaded nut 54. The bellows 52 extends towards the trip lever 58 of a micro-switch 56 of the pressure responsive mechanism. The interior of the bellows is in communication with the heating chamber 46. and the exterior of the bellows is in communication with the atmosphere.
Thus, upon increase in pressure within the chamber 46. the bellows 52 is expanded.
and moves towards, and ultimately into engagement with the trip lever 58 to close the micro-switch. Wiring of the assembly is such that, when the micro-switch 56 is closed. the heating element 48 is energised.
The water tap which is the preferred embodiment of this invention may be connected to a domestic cold water supply pipe, in place of a conventional cold water tap.
Thus, said tap comprises a pipe section P connected to the inlet portion 12 by the screw fitting 14, and a screw-threaded portion T, adapted to be screw-fitted to a conventional water supply fitting. The heating element 48 is connected to an electricity supply, with appropriate protection measures, such as earthing, being taken to remove the possibility of injury to a user of the tap.
Upon initial opening of the tap handle 22, cold water flows at a slow rate through the inlet passage 16, through the inlet chamber 18, and by way of the intermediate passage 30, into the heating chamber, and through the outlet passage 32 from the tap. The positioning and orientation of the passages 30 and 32 are such that a split. semi-circular flow of water around the core 44, and over and through the element 48 is produced as water flows from the passage 30 to the passage 32.
In response to an increase in pressure within the heating chamber 46. produced by further opening of the tap handle 22. the bellows 52 moves towards the trip lever 58 of the micro-switch, and at a particular predetermined heating chamber pressure.
the bellows contacts the trip lever to switch the micro-switch “on”, causing the heating element 48 to be energised. This is conveniently arranged to happen with a positive pressure within the heating chamber of about 1 p.s.i.: in the preferred embodiment.
this corresponds with a water flow rate.
from the outlet 34. of about 4 pints per minute.
Thus, the water flowing from the outlet 34 at a rate equal to or in excess of this rate will be heated by the heating element 48. which conveniently operates at 3 kilowatts. Thus.
hot water is available, at about 4 pints per minute, at a temperature of about 115 F.
and by opening the tap handle 22 further to increase the flow rate, hot water at a somewhat higher rate, and at a somewhat lower temperature, may be obtained.
If desired, means may be provided to vary the relationship between the operative threshold of the pressure responsive mechanism and the water flow rate. such as by the provision of an adjustable restrictor valve in the outlet 34.
In this manner, by partially closing such restrictor valve, the pressure responsive mechanism is operative to cause the heating element to be energised at a lower flow rate of water through the tap. allowing water to issue from the tap at a somewhat high temperature: conversely. by opening the restrictor valve, and increasing the flow rate through the tap before a pressure is reached at which the heating element is caused to be energised, cold water at a high flow may be derived.
Alternatively, alternative adjustment means may be provided to varv the conditions under which the element is caused to be energised. such as for example by the provision of a positional adjustment mechanism associated with the micro-switch 56. Thus, by the effecting of a small movement of the micro-switch 56 away from the bellows 52. the micro-switch will not be triggered bv the bellows 52 until a somewhat higher pressure is attained within the heating chamber 46: this likewise will provide for a higher flow rate of water from the tap a low temperature.
The tap which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is simple in its construction. and may be manufactured to be extremelv reliable: in addition. the tap is versatile, in that it will provide hot water at a range of temperatures. depending upon the flow rate of water in the tap.
Finallv, in that it can be substituted for a conventional cold water tap. such as over the sink of domestic premises. the system may be mounted in position and wired for use with a minimum amount of labour.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
I. A domestic tap as herein defined, comprising:
a) A housing defining heating chamber and an inlet through which water may flow into the heating chamber and an outlet from which water may flow from the heating chamber;
b) An adjustable flow control member which is operative to control the rate of flow of water from the inlet through the chamber and from the outlet:
c) A heater which is operative to heat water in the heating chamber;
d) A pressure responsive mechanism adapted to cause the heater to be-energized in response to the attainment of a predetermined pressure in the device downstream of the flow control member.
2. A domestic water tap according to claim I wherin the housing defines an inlet chamber communicating with the heating chamber. the inlet being provided by an inlet passage extending into the inlet chamber and the outlet being provided by an outlet passage extending from the heating chamber. the flow control member being operative in the inlet chamber and the heater being located in the heating chamber.
3. A domestic water tap according to one of claims l or 2 wherein the pressure responsive mechanism comprises a pressure responsive bellows and microswitch.
4. A domestic water tap according to claim 3 wherein the bellows extends into the
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (15)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
embodiment of this invention may be connected to a domestic cold water supply pipe, in place of a conventional cold water tap.
Thus, said tap comprises a pipe section P connected to the inlet portion 12 by the screw fitting 14, and a screw-threaded portion T, adapted to be screw-fitted to a conventional water supply fitting. The heating element 48 is connected to an electricity supply, with appropriate protection measures, such as earthing, being taken to remove the possibility of injury to a user of the tap.
Upon initial opening of the tap handle 22, cold water flows at a slow rate through the inlet passage 16, through the inlet chamber 18, and by way of the intermediate passage 30, into the heating chamber, and through the outlet passage 32 from the tap. The positioning and orientation of the passages 30 and 32 are such that a split. semi-circular flow of water around the core 44, and over and through the element 48 is produced as water flows from the passage 30 to the passage 32.
In response to an increase in pressure within the heating chamber 46. produced by further opening of the tap handle 22. the bellows 52 moves towards the trip lever 58 of the micro-switch, and at a particular predetermined heating chamber pressure.
the bellows contacts the trip lever to switch the micro-switch “on”, causing the heating element 48 to be energised. This is conveniently arranged to happen with a positive pressure within the heating chamber of about 1 p.s.i.: in the preferred embodiment.
this corresponds with a water flow rate.
from the outlet 34. of about 4 pints per minute.
Thus, the water flowing from the outlet 34 at a rate equal to or in excess of this rate will be heated by the heating element 48. which conveniently operates at 3 kilowatts. Thus.
hot water is available, at about 4 pints per minute, at a temperature of about 115 F.
and by opening the tap handle 22 further to increase the flow rate, hot water at a somewhat higher rate, and at a somewhat lower temperature, may be obtained.
If desired, means may be provided to vary the relationship between the operative threshold of the pressure responsive mechanism and the water flow rate. such as by the provision of an adjustable restrictor valve in the outlet 34.
In this manner, by partially closing such restrictor valve, the pressure responsive mechanism is operative to cause the heating element to be energised at a lower flow rate of water through the tap. allowing water to issue from the tap at a somewhat high temperature: conversely. by opening the restrictor valve, and increasing the flow rate through the tap before a pressure is reached at which the heating element is caused to be energised, cold water at a high flow may be derived.
Alternatively, alternative adjustment means may be provided to varv the conditions under which the element is caused to be energised. such as for example by the provision of a positional adjustment mechanism associated with the micro-switch 56. Thus, by the effecting of a small movement of the micro-switch 56 away from the bellows 52. the micro-switch will not be triggered bv the bellows 52 until a somewhat higher pressure is attained within the heating chamber 46: this likewise will provide for a higher flow rate of water from the tap a low temperature.
The tap which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is simple in its construction. and may be manufactured to be extremelv reliable: in addition. the tap is versatile, in that it will provide hot water at a range of temperatures. depending upon the flow rate of water in the tap.
Finallv, in that it can be substituted for a conventional cold water tap. such as over the sink of domestic premises. the system may be mounted in position and wired for use with a minimum amount of labour.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
I. A domestic tap as herein defined, comprising:
a) A housing defining heating chamber and an inlet through which water may flow into the heating chamber and an outlet from which water may flow from the heating chamber;
b) An adjustable flow control member which is operative to control the rate of flow of water from the inlet through the chamber and from the outlet:
c) A heater which is operative to heat water in the heating chamber;
d) A pressure responsive mechanism adapted to cause the heater to be-energized in response to the attainment of a predetermined pressure in the device downstream of the flow control member.

2. A domestic water tap according to claim I wherin the housing defines an inlet chamber communicating with the heating chamber. the inlet being provided by an inlet passage extending into the inlet chamber and the outlet being provided by an outlet passage extending from the heating chamber. the flow control member being operative in the inlet chamber and the heater being located in the heating chamber.

3. A domestic water tap according to one of claims l or 2 wherein the pressure responsive mechanism comprises a pressure responsive bellows and microswitch.

4. A domestic water tap according to claim 3 wherein the bellows extends into the
heating chamber.

5. A domestic water tap according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means to vary the relationship between the operative threshold of the pressure responsive mechanism and the water flow rate.

6. A domestic water tap according to claim 5 wherein the said means is provided by an adjustable restrictor valve associated with the outlet.

7. A domestic tap according to any one of claims 1 and 4 comprising means whereby the pressure at which the pressure responsive mechanism is caused to by operative maybe varied.

8. A domestic water tap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing defines a cylindrical cavity, and comprises a body providing a cover for the cavity, and having a cylindrical core portion having an exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter of the cavity, extending from the cover, the heating chamber being annular in form. defined between the cvlindrical cavity and the core portion.

9. A domestic water tap according to claim 8 wherein the heater comprises a coiled heating element wound around the exterior cvlindrical wall of the core.

10. A domestic water tap according to claim 9 wherein the dimensions of the heating element are sufficient substantially to fill the annular heating chamber.

11. A domestic water tap according to any one of claims 8. 9 and 10 wherein the arrangement is such that water enters the heating chamber on one side thereof. and leaves the heating chamber from the opposite side, flow of water through the heating chamber being curvilinear.

12. A domestic water tap according to any one of the preceding claims when the housing is formed from plastics material.

13. A domestic water tap according to claim 12 wherein the plastics material is an
Acrylic Polymer.

14. A domestic water tap according to one of claims 12 and 13 wherein the housing is formed by a moulding operation, and is subsequently subjected to a machining operation.

15. A domestic water tap constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompaning drawings.

GB4811875A
1976-11-22
1976-11-22
Domestic water taps

Expired

GB1569260A
(en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB4811875A

GB1569260A
(en)

1976-11-22
1976-11-22
Domestic water taps

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB4811875A

GB1569260A
(en)

1976-11-22
1976-11-22
Domestic water taps

Publications (1)

Publication Number
Publication Date

GB1569260A
true

GB1569260A
(en)

1980-06-11

Family
ID=10447458
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB4811875A
Expired

GB1569260A
(en)

1976-11-22
1976-11-22
Domestic water taps

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GB1569260A
(en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

GB2157815A
(en)

1984-04-19
1985-10-30
Redring Electric Ltd
Electric water heaters

1976

1976-11-22
GB
GB4811875A
patent/GB1569260A/en
not_active
Expired

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

GB2157815A
(en)

1984-04-19
1985-10-30
Redring Electric Ltd
Electric water heaters

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