IE20140025A1

IE20140025A1 - A device for the passage of a volume of fluid

Info

Publication number: IE20140025A1
Application number: IE20140025A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Mark Hopkins; David Ross Watt
Original assignee: Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-01
Filing date: 2014-01-30
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: GB201301860D0; GB2512572A; IE86942B1; GB2512572B

Abstract

A device (10) for the passage of a volume of fluid including: a housing (12) having a chamber (14) for the receiving fluid, said chamber (14) having an interior surface (15); an inlet (32)in fluid communication with the chamber (14); an outlet (34) in fluid communication with the chamber (14); and a flow directing member (23) for directing the flow of fluid into the chamber (14), wherein the flow directing member (23) is configured to direct fluid towards the interior surface (15) of the chamber (14).

Description

Title; A Device for the passage of a volume of fluid Description of Invention The invention relates to a device for the passage of a volume of fluid. In particular, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for the passage of water for use as a component part of an instantaneous water heater.

An electric shower is an example of an instantaneous water heater and typically includes a housing having a chamber in which the water is heated by an electrically operated element. Typically such an electrically operated heating element is in the form cf a coil which has a generally helical or spiral form to optimise the surface area of the heating elements available for contact with the water. Often two or more of said heating elements are provided within the chamber in order to provide the user with a selectable level of heating. it is desirable for the water flowing within the chamber to be uniformly heated, 20 as much as is possible, by the heating element(s). Areas of stagnant flow within the chamber restrict heat from the nearby part of the heating element being dissipated evenly / efficiently through to the water. These parts of the heating element become localised hot spots and can precipitate premature failure of the heating element. It is thus desirable to minimise any areas of iow water flow rate to avoid such hot spots being formed on the heating element.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a device for the passage of a volume of fluid including: a housing having a chamber for receiving fluid, said chamber 30 having an interior surface; an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and Bns w ·, f — ..... f p®a. ΪΕ1 4 0 0 25 a flow directing member for directing the flow of fluid into the chamber, wherein the flow directing member Is configured to direct fluid towards the interior surface of the chamber, Further features of the various aspects of the invention are set out in dependent claims 2 to 29 appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only 10 with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a close up cross-sectional view of an end of the device of Figure 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of the device of Figure 1 with its end member and cover member removed; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a top surface of the cover member cf the device of Figure 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the cover member of Figure 4; Fig, 6 is a close up cross-sectional view of the end of the device of Figure 1 along an axis transverse to that of Figure 2; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the end member cf Figure 1 30 in isolation; Kt 4 0 0 2 5 Fig. 8 is a plan view of the top surface of the end member of the device of Figure 1; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the end member of the device of Figure 1 in isolation.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, these show a device 10 for the passage of a volume of fluid together with other component parts (but not all) of an instantaneous water heater. The device 10 includes a housing 12 which, together with other component parts of the device, forms a chamber 14 for receiving water. The chamber 14 has an interior surface 15. The housing 12 is made of a plastics material, for example, by injection moulding, although the skilled person would appreciate that other materials couid be used.

The housing 12 includes a generally tubular part 13 which is substantially ova! in cross-section and is generally axially symmetrica! about its elongate axis A. The chamber 14 has two opposing open ends 16, 18. In cross-section, the chamber 14 includes two opposing part-circular sections 19a, 19b which are connected by a pair of opposing generally linear sections 20a, 20b.

The open ertd 16 of the chamber 14 is closed by an end member 22 held relative to the remainder of the housing 12 by a cover member 24. The end member 22 has an outlet fluid flow path member 26 which is substantially oval in cross-section. The member 26 tapers slightly as it extends into the chamber 14, towards the end 18, along the axis substantiatly parallel to the axis A of the chamber 14. The end member 22 includes two fluid directing members 23 (they are formed integrally as a single moulding). The configuration and functionality of the fluid directing members 23 will be discussed in more detail later. The end member 22 is removably connectable to the remainder of the housing 12 and, as previously mentioned, is held in place by the cover member 24. ΙΕί 4 0 0 2 5 An electrically operated heating element 28 is positioned within the chamber 14. The electrically operated heating element 28 has a generally helical or spiral form (as is well know in the art) with a central, axially extending, passage to receive the member 26. The electrically operated heating element 28 therefore extends around the outlet fluid flow path member 26. The electrically operated heating element 28 has an end part 30 which closes open end 18 of the chamber 14.

The housing 12 has an inlet 32 and an outlet 34 which are both in fluid communication with the chamber 14. The outlet 34 is provided as an aperture in the cover member 24 which communicates with an opening 33 provided in the end member 22 (which opening 33 is in fluid communication with the outlet fluid flow path member 26). There is provided a seal element 37 extending around the opening 33 to provide a seal at this location between the end member 22 and the cover member 24. The inlet 32 is also provided as an aperture in the cover member 24and communicates with the flow directing members 23 via diverting means 38 (discussed below).

In use the inlet 32 is connected to a water supply and water flows through the inlet 32 into the chamber 14 via the flow directing members 23. Water travels from end 16 to end 18 ofthe chamber 14. In doing so, the water is heated as it comes into contact with the electrically operated heating element 28. Water near end 18 at the top of the chamber 14 travels through the outlet fluid flow path member 26 and out of the outlet 34 downstream to a shower rose.

Referring to Figure 3, the end 16 of the chamber 14 includes a recess formation 36 to receive the end member 22 such that a push-fit connection is formed therebetween (a suitable gasket could be used if desired). The recess formation 36 is a stepped formation around a periphery of the wall of the housing 12. The cover member 24 holds the member 22 in this recess •Et 4 0 025 formation 36 and there is provided a seal element 35 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the cover member 24 and the tubular part 13 of the housing 12.

Referring to Figures 4 to 7, the housing 12 includes diverting means 38 for diverting a substantially equal flow of fluid entering the inlet 32 to the two flow directing members 23. The diverting means 38 is a recess in a surface of the cover member which faces the end member 22, and which connects to the inlet aperture 32. The end member 22 has a generally rectangular wall projecting formation 39 (see Figure 7) which, when the components are connected together extends into the recess 38. The projection 39 provides two flow paths (shown in Figure 6), one leading to each flow directing members 23, As mentioned earlier, each flow directing member 23 is integrally formed as part of end member 22 on a surface of the end member 22 which faces axiaily into the chamber 14.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, each flow directing member 23 is substantially Cshaped in cross-section, with the open side 45 (i.e, missing wall) of its profile being that which faces radially outwardly away from the axis A. This open side 45 abuts or lies close to the interior surface 15 of the chamber 14, when the parts are assembled, so as to provide a passage for fluid.

In more detail, each flow directing member 23 starts with a substantially square shaped portion 40 positioned midway along the generally linear section 20a, 20b of the chamber 14, which communicates with the projection formation 39 (essentially there is a continuous aperture between them). A slightly narrowed linear portion 42 extends from the square shaped portion 40 along the linear section 20a, 20b of the interior surface 15, Finally, a curved section 44 extends from the linear portion 42 along the part-circuiar section 19a, 19b of the interior surface 15, 0 0 25 The flow directing members 23 are positioned so as to direct the flow of fluid on to the part-circular section 19a, 19b of the interior surface 15 of the chamber 14. The flow directing members 23 are substantially identical with the only difference being that the curved portion of one of the flow directing members 23 is slightly ionger than the other. They could, however, be identical, if desired.

Figure 9 shows an end section of the chamber 14 in co-operation with the end member 22. It can be seen that the open side 45 is closed by an adjacent part of the interior surface 15 of the chamber 14. In this embodiment, an adjacent part of the axially facing surface 46 of the end member 22 provides a bottom surface to the passage of the flow directing member 23. The portions 40, 42, 44 of the flow directing member 23 in combination with the interior surface 15 of the chamber thus provide a flow path for fluid into the chamber 14.

The flow directing members 23 are substantially identical in construction, only features of one of the flow directing members 23 will be described hereinafter. However, it will be appreciated that the flow directing members 23 can differ in their individual form and stiii be within the scope of the present invention. For exampie, the length, width, shape, profile and height of each flow directing member may be different The configuration of the flow directing member 23 causes the flow directing member 23 to direct the flow of water into the chamber 14, towards the interior surface 15 of the chamber 14. in particular the flow directing members 23 as described are configured to direct fluid in a direction generally perpendicularly (e g. radially) away from the axis of the chamber towards the interior surface of the chamber. The flow directing members 23 also result in the water being directed into the chamber 14 generally tangentially to the interior surface 15, which provides a smoother flow. 1E140 0 25 Furthermore, the shape and configuration of the flow directing members 23 direct the water so that it is caused to flow in a generally helical or spiral path, and circumferentially around the interior surface 15 of the chamber 14 as it travels through the chamber 14. However, in other embodiments, the flow directing member(s) may be configured only to direct the fluid in one or more, but not all, of these directions (perpendicularly, radially, tangentially, spirally, helically), The configuration of the flow directing member 23 described previously, in combination with the interior surface 15, have a synergistic effect in changing the direction of the fluid as it travels generally along the chamber 14 towards the end of the outlet fluid path member 26. The fluid thus follows a generally defined helical / spiral path along the interior surface of the chamber.

Advantageously, the path follows the form of, and is near or adjacent, the electrically operated heating element 28, The fluid is therefore less likely to have stagnant regions of relatively low fluid flow. In this way, hot spots are reduced and substantially avoided.

It will be appreciated that many alternative shapes and constructions of the flow directing members can be employed to provide the functionality of directing the fluid flow as described above. The flow directing members of the embodiment shown in the Figures are thus only an example of such a construction that provides this function a I ity.

For example, one or both of the flow directing members could be connected to, rather than formed as an integral part of, the end member. In the embodiment shown in the Figures the flow directing members are generally equally spaced from each other around an axis of the chamber. The flow directing members are thus positioned 180° apart around the axis A. tn alternative embodiments IE1 4 0 0 2 5 there may be three or more flow directing members in which case they may be positioned at 1200 or 90 ° etc, around axis A, The or each flow directing member could be configured such that it extends along part of one of the generally linear sections and does not extend along part of one of the part-circular sections of the chamber, or vice versa.

There are other variations to the present embodiment For example, there may be only one flow directing member. The flow directing members may also be positioned at different positions along the axis A of the chamber. For example, midway or further away from the open end 16 of the chamber. Furthermore, the outlet fluid flow member and end member may be formed integrally with the housing.

In another embodiment each flow directing member may be formed as part of, or connected to part of, the interna! wall of the chamber and the end member may be configured to close a generally downwardly facing open side of the passage through the flow directing member.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components, The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAiMS

1. A device for the passage of a volume of fluid including: a housing having a chamber for receiving fluid, said chamber 5 having an interior surface; an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and a flow directing member for directing the flow of fluid into the chamber, 10 wherein the flow directing member is configured to direct fluid towards the interior surface of the chamber.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flow directing member is configured to direct fluid in a direction generally perpendicularly away from an 15 axisofthechamber towa rd s the i nter ior s u rface of th e ch am be r.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the flow directing member is configured to direct fluid in a direction generally radially away from an axis of the chamber towards the interior surface of the chamber.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the flow directing member is configured to direct fluid in a direction generally tangential to the interior surface of the chamber. 25

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the flow directing member is configured to direct fluid such that it is caused to flow in a generally helical or spiral path as ft travels through the chamber,

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the flow 30 directing member is configured to direct fluid such that it is caused to flow ΙΕ ί 4 0 0 2 5 circumferentially around the interior surfaoe of the chamber as it travels through the chamber

7, A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the chamber is 5 substantially oval in cross-section.

8, A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein, in crosssection, the chamber includes two part-circular sections which are connected by a pair of generally linear sections.

9, A device according to claim 8 wherein the flow directing member is positioned so as to direct the flow of fluid on to or adjacent one of the partcircular sections of the interior surface of the chamber. 15

10. A device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the flow directing member extends along part of one of the generally linear sections.

11. A device according to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein a part of the flow directing member extends along part of one of the generally linear sections and a part 20 of the flow directing member extends along part of one of the part-circular sections.

12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the flow directing member abuts or is positioned close to a part of the interior surface of the 25 chamber.

13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the flow directing member includes a flow path, at least a part of which is formed by a part of the interior surface of the chamber. IE ΐ 4 0 0 2 5

14. A device according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the part of the interior surface of the chamber is a radially inwardly facing surface,

15. A device according to claim 12, 13 wherein the part of the interior 5 surface of the chamber is an axiaily facing surface.

16. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the inlet to the chamber is provided through an axially facing surface of the chamber and the flow directing member is positioned near or adjacent that axially facing 10 surface

17. A device according to any preceding claim including an end member for closing an end of the housing. 15

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein the flow directing member is connected to or formed as part of the end member.

19. A device according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the end member includes an outlet fluid flow path member which extends into the chamber from the end 20 member and connects with the outlet from the chamber.

20. A device according to claim 17, 18 or 19 wherein the end of the chamber includes a recess formation for receiving the end member. 25

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein the recess formation is a step formed around a periphery of the housing,

22. A device according to any one of claims 19 to 21 further including a cover member for holding the end member relative to the remainder of the housing. 1E1 4 0 0 2 5

23. A device according to any preceding claim wherein there are two or more of said fiow directing members. 24, A device according to claim 24 wherein the two or more flow directing

5. Members are generally equally spaced from each other around an axis of the chamber. 25, A device according to claim 23 or 24 wherein the housing includes diverting means to divert a substantially equal flow of fluid from the inlet to the

6. 10 chamber to the two or more flow directing members.

26. A device according to any preceding claim including an electrically operated heating element positioned within the chamber.

7. 15 27. A device according to claim 26 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 19 wherein the electrically operated heating element is of a generally helical or spiral form which extends around the outlet fluid flow path member.

28. An instantaneous water heater including a device according to any one of

8. 20 the preceding claims,

29. An electric shower including the instantaneous water heater of claim 28.

30. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or

9. 25 as shown in the accompanying drawings.

31. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.