GB2487381A

GB2487381A - Boiler condensate frost protection apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2487381A
Application number: GB1100862.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Timothy Meager
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-19
Filing date: 2011-01-19
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Also published as: GB201100862D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the prevention of freezing and blocking of a waste pipe by condensate discharged from a boiler during freezing conditions. The device is designed to prevent freezing by arresting the flow of condensate and collecting it in an accumulator until there is sufficient quantity such that, with its sudden release, it will cascade down the waste pipe without the risk of freezing. To this end, the device preferably comprises a tilting bucket 1 used as an accumulator which, when filled, automatically releases its load and then returns ready to be refilled. In use, the continued collection of condensate moves the centre of gravity 3 of the bucket from one side of a tipping axis 5 to the other, with the result that it topples over and discharges; it is then returned to the original position by gravity and is ready to begin the cycle again. Preferably, the action of discharging the condensate is accelerated by positioning the buckets pivot 6 below the bucket and by increasing the length of the buckets delivery chute.

Description

V

I

BOiLER CONDENSATE FROST PROTECTION This invention relates to a device for the prevention of freezing and blocking of waste pipes by the condensed water vapour,or condensate, discharged from condensor boilers during freezing conditions outside the building.

The condensate Issues from the boiler throughout operation at a very slow rate.This then trickles or drips into the waste pipe and, when it reaches the outside freezing conditions, freezes drop by drop until eventually It builds up like a stalagmite and blocks the whole pipe.

This then prevents any condensate or household waste from draining away.

in oderercomethisdilficuftyitlstirstnecessarytoarresttheflowofcondensateand collect it in an accumulator until there Is sufficient quantity so that its sudden release will cascade down the waste pipe without the risk of freezing.

This invention relates to a means of accumulating a fixed weight of condensS automatically discharging it and then returning empty ready to receive the next supply.This is achieved by using a tilting bucket to collect It The continued collection of the condensate moves the centre of gravity of the bucket from one side of the tipping axis to the other with the result that ft topples over and dlscharges.lt Is then returned to the original position by the force of gravity, the centre of which has now returned to the original side of the tipping axis, and it is ready to begin the cycle again.

The capacity of the bucket will be determined by the extremity of freezing anticipated arid by the maximum length of exposed waste pipe to be catered for. F,

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the empty bucket pivotted in line with a vertical axis with the centre of gravity to the right of that axis and with the bulk, or all, of the carrying volume to the left. Condensate is feeding into it from the boiler in such a manner that none is capable of spilling over into the waste pipe.

The piviot may consist of points, knife edge(s),bearing(s),or rocker(s). The method used in the illustration is a knife edge.

FIgure 2 shows the bucket containing the full load tipping anti-clockwise, with the centre of gravity rapidly moving to the left, and it is about to discharge its contents.

Figure 3 shows the bucket having discharged its load but,with the centre of gravity now to the right of the pivot axis,it is about to right itself and retum to the position as seen in Figure 1 where the cycle starts again.

In Figure 1 the tilting bucket I is shown in the upright, fully clockwise, position being fed with condensate from the boiler output 2 and held firmly in that position by the force of gravity because the centre of gravity 3 of the assembly.( inctudding the counterweight 4) is to the right of the pivot 6 on the pivot axis 5 In Figure 2 the added condensate in the bucket has moved the centre of gravity 3 to the left of the pivot axis 5. causing an anti-clockwise moment and tipping the bucket on its pivot 6 anticlockwise where it is shown about to discharge its load As the bucket rotates the assembly moves to the let which in turn increases the moment about the pivot and speeds up the operation.

Within the limits of practicality the further the pivot is below the base of the bucket the greater will be the moment and the faster and more positive the discharge function.

In addition the travel of the condensate to the left while inside the bucket increases the movement to the left of the centre of gravity and further increases the moment about the pivot Again, within the limits of practicality,the longer the delivery shute 7 in the bucket, the greater will be the additional moment about the pivot before discharge and the more rapid and positive will be the discharge.

In figure 3 the bucket is shown having completed its anti-clockwise rotation and discharged it's load into the catcher 8 which in turn is discharging into the waste system 9. . The centre of gravity 3 has now returned to the right of the pivot axis and the force of gravity is about to rotate the bucket clockwise and return it to the position as shown in figure 1.so that the cycle can be repeated.

Claims

VClAIMS 1. Arresting and accumulating the slow flow of condensate from a boiler will prevent the gradual build up of Ice which can occur In the exposed waste pipes outeide a budding during freezing conditions.
2. If the accumulated condensate is then released in cascade there will be little chance of a build upof Ice In theexposed waste pipe.
3. In order to achieve the objective In claims I and 2.0 tilting bucket is used as an accumulator whIch, when filled, automatically releases irs load and then returns ready to be refilled.
4. A bucket according to claim 3 where the action of discharge Is accelerated by positioning the pivot below the bucket
5. A bucket according to claIm 3.wtiere the action of discharge is further accelerated by increasing the length of the bucket delivery shute.
6. A tilting bucket as In claim 3 Is suitable for use in other applications.