Pipe joints or couplings – For branched path – T-type
Patent
1998-07-24
2000-07-04
Nicholson, Eric K.
Pipe joints or couplings
For branched path
T-type
28512315, 138116, 29890148, 29890036, F16L 4102, F16L 4103, F16L 3900
Patent
active
060827815
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a pipe connector for connecting at least three pipelines, in particular water pipes with a pipe arranged inside them, preferably bearing against the inner wall, which connector comprises a main pipe, which is continuous in the direction of flow, and at least one connection piece, which is designed so that it branches off from the main pipe, an inner pipe, which follows the main pipe and the branch, being provided. A pipe connector of this type is also called a fitting in general speech.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pipelines with an internal pipe are used, for example, if a hot-water system in which the water can circulate inside the feed line is to be installed in a home or business premises, in order to have hot water available as quickly as possible after turning on the tap. Such a system is disclosed, for example, in EP 0 674 137 A1. This publication describes a hot-water supply installation with a hot-water ring main which runs through a water heater and in which the water circulates in circulation lines of substantially smaller cross section.
The circulation line may be made of flexible material, i.e. in the most simple case may be a plastic hose which has been pushed into the water pipe, or may bear fixedly against or be attached to the inner wall of the outer pipeline.
A similar system is disclosed in DE 35 42 374 A1. In this system, T-pieces, by means of which not only the outer pipes but also the inner pipes can be connected to one another, are used as the pipe connectors. The connection takes place in each case via muffs, by which the pipelines, which are attached to the pipe connector in the direction of flow of the fluid, are inserted via the muffs. The circulation lines are connected in the fitting by adhesive bonding or shrink fitting. For this purpose, a T-piece is also provided in the interior, which T-piece is branched in the same way as the outer profile of the pipe and is attached, via a web, in the branch connection piece. Absolutely rigid fixing of the inner T-piece is impossible, since further webs would considerably restrict the pipe cross section in the fitting. Connecting the circulation line to the inner T-piece is therefore extremely complicated, in particular because the inner T-piece does not assume a defined position inside the fitting. It is therefore also consciously accepted that the connection location will not be absolutely leaktight in the interior. Although water losses at the connection location play only a subordinate role, since the water is returned, nevertheless heated water is "lost", so that the efficiency of the system is reduced. Moreover, owing to the complicated form of attachment, assembly time is extremely high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
On the basis of these problems, one of the objectives of the present invention is to develop a pipe connector in such a way that simple assembly of the water supply system is possible and leaktight connection of the inner circulation line can be produced.
In order to solve this problem, the pipe connector explained at the outset is distinguished by the fact that the inner pipe bears against the inner wall in such a way that it is situated on the extreme right or on the extreme left with regard to the direction of flow and as seen in plan view of the connection piece.
This design provides a defined connection option for the circulation line in the pipe connector. Owing to the attachment to the inner wall, the connection piece for the circulation line is rigid, so that secure and leakproof connection can be achieved.
Preferably, the inner pipe is set back toward the inside at the connection locations. This is advantageous in particular when the pipeline which is to be connected has a flexible circulation line which is guided out of the pipeline at its ends and can then be guided onto the pipe connector. In this case, it is irrelevant how and whether the circulation line is connected to the pipeline. If the latter is also attached to the inner wall, the attachment must be d
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patent: 5586720 (1996-12-01), Spiegel et al.
Boehm Robert
Spiegel Herbert
Hage Fittings GmbH & Co. KG
Nicholson Eric K.
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