Patent Application
20190170264
The present invention relates to gas sediment traps. Gas fired appliances, such as furnaces, heaters, boilers, etc. require a gas line from the incoming gas supply to fuel the appliance. Connected to the gas lines is an extra leg of piping referred to as a sediment trap. Sediment traps are intentionally installed to prevent sediment, dirt or particulates in the gas or piping, from getting into the burner area of the appliance or associated components such as the gas ball valve connected upstream of the appliance. Specifically, a gas sediment trap uses gravity to capture sediment before it travels to the gas fired appliance. Sediment traps are usually required at all gas appliances as part of the International Fuel Gas Code. The International Fuel Gas Code for the Sediment Trap section 408.4 (2015) states that when a sediment trap is not incorporated as part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as practical. Sediment traps are generally required by code on all furnaces, boilers, and water heaters, in all states in the United States.
Currently there are several methods used to connect the gas line to the appliance.
One aspect of the present invention is a gas sediment trap assembly. The gas sediment trap assembly includes a body having a generally cylindrical length with a first end portion configured to be coupled to a gas ball valve connected to the gas supply line. The body also has a second end portion coupled to a cap. The medial portion of the body is located between the first end portion and the second end portion. The medial end portion includes a tee with a portion extending generally perpendicular to the length of the body.
Another aspect of the present invention is a gas sediment trap assembly having a body with a generally cylindrical length. The body includes a first end portion with a gas ball valve to be coupled to the inlet of a gas fired appliance. The body also includes a second end portion and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion. The medial portion includes a tee with a portion extending generally perpendicular to the length of the body. A cap is coupled to the second end portion of the body.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method for connecting a gas sediment trap assembly to a gas fired appliance. The method includes selecting a gas sediment trap assembly with a body having a generally cylindrical length. The body includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and second end portion. The medial portion includes a tee with a portion extending generally perpendicular to the length of the body. The method includes coupling the first end portion of the gas sediment trap assembly to a gas ball valve. The method includes coupling the generally perpendicular portion of the tee to a gas line that is coupled to another gas ball valve. The method also includes coupling a cap on the second end portion of the body of the gas sediment trap assembly.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
The gas sediment trap assemblies 2, 302 can be made out of any material that is typically used with and/or certified for use with gas piping. This includes, for example, brass, forged brass, iron, steel, and other suitable materials. The gas sediment trap assemblies 2, 302 can be made of the same materials as ball valves 12, 312.
In the illustrated embodiments, the piping and piping connections are generally designed for ¾″ piping. However, the components could be adapted to different sized piping and/or include portions that are adapted to taper up or down to different sized piping. The components, such as ball valves, hoses, fittings, pipe, etc., are certified for use with gas. Any type of connection can be used to couple the ends of gas sediment trap assemblies 2, 302, to the gas supply line and to the gas fired appliance 28. While different embodiments have shown threaded, compression, flare, National Pipe Thread (NPT), Male Iron Pipe (MIP), Female Iron Pipe (FIP), or other types of gas approved conventional connections, it is to be understood that any type of conventional connection that couples two or more components without creating a leak can be utilized.
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “operably coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “connected” or “operably connected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
