Patent Application
20190309502
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of plumbing devices, more particularly the thawing of frozen water pipes within a building. The mechanical device utilizes air pressure to inject an alcohol solution into pipes to remove blockages caused by water frozen within the pipe.
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the present invention or delineate the scope of the present invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The present invention provides a reliable and affordable device to thaw frozen pipes without the need to determine the location of the frozen section of the pipe.
In particular, the invention relates to a device and method of using same which enables the user to thaw water pipes used in regulating temperature in a commercial or residential building or pipes carrying water. The device has further application in thawing any other pipe carrying liquid that has frozen.
In cold weather when outside temperatures reach below the freezing point of water, when a homeowner or building occupant opens up a water faucet and observes that no water or only a trickle is coming out or if the toilets do not refill following a flush, a likely conclusion is that a pipe leading to that faucet has frozen. The same is true if it is discovered that a building with a water-based heating system (such as baseboard heating) is not heating up and it is discovered that water is failing to circulate within the closed looped pipes. An untreated frozen pipe will eventually burst.
If the affected pipes are exposed, such as under a sink, in a basement or along the exterior of the house, it may be possible to locate the frozen portions of the pipe. Frozen pipes often have frost on them or may have a slight bulge. However, many pipes are inaccessible, being enclosed within walls, under floors or encased within a concrete foundation. If the blockage is located in an accessible section of the pipe, there are more options for easily thawing the pipe than if the frozen portion is enclosed and inaccessible. One method to thaw pipes is to leave faucets open to allow the trickle of water to eventually melt the ice. This is a very slow process and is not available if there is no heat in the building. Other methods are to use a heat gun, hair dryer, heat tape, towel wrapping or some other method to thaw the frozen section of the pipe. These methods only work when the pipes are exposed and the frozen section can be located.
If the frozen pipe is located in an area that is not easily accessible, it may be possible to slowly thaw the ice by pouring hot water, saltwater or alcohol down a drain. These methods only works if the frozen pipe is down-stream from the drain and with hot water, there is a risk of causing the pipes to burst from the sudden change of temperature. The homeowner or building occupant can also turn the heat up in the property with the hopes of encouraging the ice blockage to slowly melt. Again, this assumes that heat and/or power is available in the building which would not be the case if the water heating system pipes are frozen. An infrared lamp placed in front of the portion of the wall where the pipe is located will heat up that specific area and may be able to penetrate the wall and slowly allow the pipe to defrost. Other solutions involve wrapping the frozen pipe with heat tape or passing electrical current through the affected pipes. A more drastic approach is to cut out a section of the drywall in front of the frozen to access the pipe and use any of the other methods for heating up that section of the pipe. These solutions assumes that the frozen section can be located and creates a mess in order to access those frozen sections. Also, it would not be possible with pipes encased in concrete without heavy drilling and destruction of the concrete.
With any of the methods above, there is always a risk of causing the pipe to burst due to a sudden buildup of pressure or changes of temperature from heated water. Burst pipes are costly to repair and can cause great property loss.
This device utilizes the ice melting properties of alcohol solutions. Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water and acts to melt ice. A solution of alcohol could be poured into a frozen pipe directly but it would only flow down a slope. There is no way to force the alcohol solution to circulate through the pipe to the frozen section. Also, even if the alcohol solution reaches the ice blockage, without pressure, the solution will act slowly to dissolve the ice.
The disclosed, preferred, embodiment of the device is a hand-held implement comprised of an hand operated air pump connected to a T connector with one “arm” connected to a second check valve connected by an adapter to a flexible intake hose for an alcohol solution. The check valve maintains the pressure within the apparatus and prevents back-flow. The other “arm” of the T connector is connected to a second check valve that is followed by a pressure gauge (either analog or digital).
The T connector should be configured so that the straight portion of the connector which allows for a straight direction of travel should be connected to the pump and the check valve leading to the pressure gauge. The “arm” of the T connector that is positioned perpendicular or at an angle to this straight direction of travel should be connected to the check valve leading to the flexible intake hose.
Following the pressure gauge is an adjustable air vent which serves to relieve excess pressure. Following the air vent is an adapter which connects the device to one end of the blocked pipe.
In between each check valve, gauge, vent and the pump are short lengths of pipe or tubing to aide in connecting the various components. The pipe or tubing of the apparatus may be made of standard ferrous-based plumbing materials such as brass, copper or black pipe or any other suitably strong and rigid materials.
The device can be operated manually by hand, without power. Alternatively, an air compressor or mechanical pump can be substituted for the hand pump to pressurize the solution. The invention is not limited by the capacity of the air pump.
The device can be connected to the blocked pipe at a location where a pipe connects to the boiler or a check valve or near the frozen segment if the pipe is accessible and the frozen section is known.
The device can be scaled up by attaching a larger air pump and utilizing higher gauge fittings to thaw larger diameter pipes that have frozen.
It is a feature of the invention that the device can utilize ½ inch pipe fittings, ¾% inch pipe fittings or larger diameter fittings. Higher diameter pipe fittings would allow for larger application including higher capacity industrial uses.
It is an additional feature of the invention that the device will work to thaw pipes regardless of the material of the pipe. It is thus not limited in its application to the material of the pipe being thawed.
The device can be configured to attach to the affected pipe in a straight line or at an angle depending on the adapter or connector used. This assists in the use of the device in locations where space is restricted. For example, the device will function in the same way even with a ninety-degree adapter fitted to the device and connecting it to the blocked pipe.
It is a feature of the invention that the device will accommodate both right handed and left handed users.
It is a feature of the invention that the device is configurable by swapping out individual components.
A second embodiment of the invention includes a union connector in the middle of the device to allow it to be disassembled into two shorter lengths. The union connector can be located between the second check valve and the pressure gauge. This connector assists in the portability of the device but is not required for the functioning of the device.
The handheld embodiment of the device works by first connecting the device to the effected pipe using the appropriate adapter at the end opposite from the air pump. The unattached end of the flexible intake hose or tube is placed in a bucket of alcohol solution. The operator then begins pumping the pump handle. Positive air pressure is created within the device which draws an alcohol solution from a separate container connected into the apparatus via the intake hose. The alcohol solution is injected into the device through the intake hose or tube connected to the apparatus via a check valve. The check valve connected to the intake hose prevents the pressurized air from inside the device from escaping into the intake hose while allowing the alcohol solution to be drawn through it into the device. The check valve further functions to allow only one-way flow of air or liquids, preventing back-flow and maintaining positive air pressure within the device. The alcohol solution is pushed through the device and through a second check valve further along the apparatus. The check valve is connected to a length of pipe or tubing which is then connected to a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge provides the operator with the ability to monitor the pressure in the pipe and avoid over-pressurizing the pipe and causing damage to it. The pressure gauge is connected to a length of pipe or tubing which is connected to an adjustable air vent. The adjustable air vent, which allows only one-way, outgoing airflow relieves excess air pressure while preventing air from entering the device.
The apparatus pressurizes the alcohol solution and injects the solution into the blocked pipe. An alcohol solution which is 70% alcohol may be used. Isopropyl or alcohol can also be used.
When the alcohol solution reaches the ice blockage, the pressure building up behind it will force the solution to flow around the ice, melting the outer layers of ice until the ice is loosened and eventually detaches from the walls of the pipe, relieving the blockage.
The amount of alcohol solution will vary depending on the size and length of the plumbing system being thawed.
The pressurized alcohol solution can act to melt additional ice blockages down the pipe's length.
Once flow has been restored in the affected pipe, the device can be removed and the pipe re-sealed.
An alternate embodiment of the device utilizes a mechanical pump in place of the hand pump. The remainder of the device would function in the same manner as with the handheld embodiment of the device.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a portable, handheld device using off the shelf pipe fittings, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and would be within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction of the invention together with the advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Much of the related art attempting to solve the same problem of thawing frozen pipes rely on the application of heat. There are numerous patents for pipe heating systems, with some systems applying heat to the outside of the pipe and others applying heat from within the pipe.
Another related art method of thawing a frozen pipe is contained in Patent Application 62/040,737—Electrical Pipe Thawing System and Methods of Using the Same or Patent US 20160053468 A1. This method involves electrically charging a section of frozen pipe and allowing the resistance to the electrical current to melt the build up of ice within.
Other related art involves forcing hot water into the pipes to melt the ice blockage. One such patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,039A—Pipe Thawing Machine) pressurizes hot water into the pipe using a pressure tank, flexible tubing and a return reservoir. This present invention differs from U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,039A in the construction of the disclosed embodiment, the ability for the device to be operated by hand without power or heat and in the fact that an alcohol solution and not hot water is being injected into the affected pipe.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for use that facilitates the easy, simple and low cost method of de-thawing frozen pipes. This application is useful for use by professionals and for homeowners alike.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for use that can be utilized to de-thaw frozen pipes without having to locate the specific sections of pipe that have frozen.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for use that can be utilized by any person for thawing frozen pipes regardless of the person's lack of experience in this art.
Other pipe thawing devices or methods may achieve the same end result, however they typically require access to the frozen section of the pipe, knowledge of where the frozen section is, or employs hot water which can result in burst or cracked pipes from sudden temperature changes. Some of these other devices or method require access to electricity or hot water. These limitations or risks are overcome by the use of this disclosed invention.
Further, other pipe thawing devices are more complicated or difficult to use, are more costly to produce, require more space to store or are limited in their functionality.
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a simple, affordable and durable means (e.g., devices and/or methods) that unblock frozen pipes.
The detailed description provided below in connection with the drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.
For convenience, certain terms employed in the entire application (including the specification, examples, and appended claims) are collected here. Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terminologies employed in the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood and used by one of ordinary skill in the related art. Unless otherwise required by context, it will be understood that singular terms shall include plural forms of the same and plural terms shall include the singular. Specifically, as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a” and “an” include the plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device comprises a hand operated air pump connected to a check valve to hold the pressure and to prevent back-flow, followed by a T connector that is connected to a second check valve connected to a flexible intake hose for an alcohol solution. The T connector is also connected to a third check valve that is followed by a pressure gauge (either analog or digital). Following the pressure gauge is an air vent which serves to relieve excess pressure. Following the air vent is an adapter which connects the device to one end of the blocked pipe. In between each check valve, gauge, vent and the pump are short lengths of pipe through which the alcohol solution flows.
According to various embodiments of the present invention, the method of using the device as embodied in the present disclosure to thaw a frozen pipe comprises the following steps:
According to various embodiments of the present invention where the hand pump is replaced by a mechanical means of pressurizing the interior of the device (i.e. an electrical pump), the method of using the device as embodied in the present disclosure to thaw a frozen pipe, step (d) in the list of steps above is replaced with:
According to various embodiments of the present invention, the method of using the device as embodied in the optional embodiment where the invention includes a union connector in the middle of the device to allow it to be disassembled into two shorter lengths. This assists in the portability of the device but is not required for the functioning of the device.
Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to, in actual practice, if desired.
The lengths of pipe and the fittings and connectors in the invention may be made of standard ferrous-based plumbing materials such as brass, copper or black pipe or any other suitably strong materials.
A digital pressure gauge may be used on the device to measure the internal pressure of the invention and the affected pipe rather than an analog pressure gauge.
Some mechanical pumps are equipped with automatic shut off features which can be configured for certain pressure levels. Such mechanical pumps can be utilized and configured to stop pumping upon reaching the recommended pressure level.
According to some optional embodiments of the present disclosure, the diameter and lengths of the pipes and fittings comprising the invention may be of various widths and the lengths.
According to other optional embodiments of the present disclosure, a second electrical pump may be attached to the flexible intake hose to aid in siphoning up the alcohol solution into the invention.
According to other optional embodiments of the alternate disclosure where the device may be disassembled into two separate pieces, the union connector may be located anywhere along the length of the device and not necessarily at the center.
According to other optional embodiments of the alternate disclosure where the device may be disassembled into separate pieces, more than one union connector may be located anywhere along the length of the device in order to allow for disassembly and portability on the invention.
According to other optional embodiments of the alternate disclosure where the device may be disassembled into two or more separate pieces, the union connector may be substituted with other suitable means of connecting the lengths of pipe in the device.
According to other optional embodiments of the alternate disclosure where one or more of the sections of pipe or a connector or adapter contains an angle, allowing the device to fit into tight or restricted spaces.
The invention as in the current embodiment may be used in combination with other devices according to other optional embodiments.
It will be understood that the above description of embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those with ordinary skill in the art. The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those with ordinary skill in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.
Many of the attendant features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomes better understood with reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, where:
In accordance with common practice, the various described features/elements are not drawn to scale but instead are drawn to best illustrate specific features/elements relevant to the present invention. Also, like reference numerals and designations in the various drawings are used to indicate like elements/parts.
