Fluid handling – With leakage or drip collecting
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-11
2001-11-20
Walton, George L. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With leakage or drip collecting
C122S504000, C122S507000, C137S002000, C137S112000, C137S113000, C137S527800, C137S533110, C137S539000, C137S605000, C141S086000, C220S571000, C222S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318403
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is relates generally to plumbing fittings. In one aspect, it relates to a combination manifold and check valve for connecting the outlet lines of a water heater relief valve and drain pan.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a water heater is installed, in most applications a drain pan must be installed underneath the heater tank to catch water which leaks or spills from the tank. Also, there must be a temperature and pressure relief valve (“T&P valve”) installed on the water heater which releases water from the tank if excessive water temperature or pressure occurs. This frequently results in the plumber having to run two drain pipes to the exterior of the building, one for the drain pan and one for the T&P valve. The reason for requiring separate drain pipes is to prevent water released from the T&P valve from backing up into and overflowing the drain pan if the T&P valve should begin discharging at a high rate. Obviously, running two separate drain lines from a water heater to the exterior of the building may significantly increase the cost of labor and materials necessary to install the water heater.
The plumbing codes of some localities allow the drain pan outlet line and the T&P valve outlet line to be connected together if a swing check valve is installed to protect the drain pan from overflow in case a significant discharge from the T&P valve outlet. The use of the swing check valve allows a single drain pipe to be run to the building exterior, thereby saving plumbing costs. However, experience indicates that swing check valves frequently do not allow water to drain properly from the drain pan. This is because the swinging valve member is normally in the closed position. When the water level in the drain pan is high enough, it forces the swing member open just enough to allow the water to seep through. Because the drain pan is unpressurized, the only pressure acting to open the swinging valve member results from the hydrostatic head of the water in the drain pan. Typically, this pressure amounts to only a few inches of hydrostatic head. If a large amount of water is spilled into the drain pan, this small amount of pressure may be insufficient to open the swing member enough to allow the water to escape fast enough to prevent the water from spilling over the top of the pan. In such cases, the only option available to the plumber is to run two separate pipes to the exterior of the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in one aspect thereof, a combination manifold and check valve assembly for a water heater unit which includes a temperature and pressure relief valve and a drain pan. The assembly comprises a manifold body having a first inlet opening, a second inlet opening, and an outlet opening which are in fluid communication. The first inlet opening is adapted for connection to the outlet of a temperature and pressure relief valve. The second inlet opening is adapted for connection to the outlet of a drain pan. The outlet opening is adapted for connection to a drain line. A valve member is disposed within the manifold body between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening. The valve member is movable between a first position wherein the valve member does not block fluid flow between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening, and a second position wherein the valve member blocks fluid flow between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening and between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening. The valve member is urged into the first position when there is no significant fluid flow between the first inlet opening and the outlet opening. The valve member is urged into the second position when there is significant fluid flow between the first inlet opening and the outlet opening.
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Howison, Chauza, Thoma, Handley & Arnott, L.L.P.
Walton George L.
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