Expansion tank service valve assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12209757-B2
Application number	US-202318530451-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2023
Priority date	Aug 10, 2020
Publication date	Jan 28, 2025
Grant date	Jan 28, 2025

Abstract

A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An expansion tank service valve assembly, comprising:
a unitary body having a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between said first end portion and said second end portion, including:
a tee including a generally vertical section with a first port and a second port and a generally horizontal section extending into said medial portion;
a generally vertical third port and a generally horizontal fourth port located within said second end portion;
a fifth port; and
a tab extending from an exterior surface of said unitary body;

a first valve member received in said tee, said first valve member opening said passageway to said second port when said first valve member is in a first position, and said first valve member closing said passageway to said second port when said first valve member is in a second position; and
a second valve member received in the passageway in said second end portion, said second valve member opening the passageway to said third port while blocking the fourth port when said second valve member is in a first position, and said second valve member closing said passageway to said third port when said second valve member is in a second position.

2. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , further including a threaded plug coupled to an opening in said body.

3. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first port includes a dielectric union.

4. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , including a tank coupled to said third port.

5. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , including a rod and base coupled to said tab.

6. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first valve member is a two-way ball valve.

7. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second valve member is an L-style ball valve.

8. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , including a vacuum breaker coupled to said fifth port.

9. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , including a cap coupled to said fourth port.

10. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said unitary body is made from brass.

11. The expansion tank service valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second port includes a bonnet.

12. An expansion tank service assembly, comprising:
a unitary body having a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between said first end portion of said second end portion, including:
a generally vertical portion with a first port;
a generally vertical portion with a third port;
a fifth port located within said medial portion; and
a tab with a threaded opening extending from an exterior surface of said medial portion;

a second valve member positioned in the passageway in said second end portion, said second valve member opening said passageway between said medial portion and said third port when said second valve member is in a first position, and said second valve member closing said passageway between said medial portion and said third port when said second valve member is in a second position;
a vacuum breaker coupled to said fifth port; and
a threaded stand coupled to said tab.

13. An expansion tank service assembly of claim 12 , including a plurality of nuts coupled to said threaded stand.

14. An expansion tank service assembly of claim 12 , wherein said unitary body is made from a metallic material.

15. An expansion tank service assembly of claim 12 , wherein said first port includes a dielectric union.

16. An expansion tank service assembly of claim 12 , wherein said second valve member is a three-way ball valve.

17. An expansion tank service assembly of claim 12 , including a first valve member positioned in the passageway in said first end.

18. An expansion tank service assembly, comprising:
a unitary body having a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between said first end portion and said second end portion, including:
a generally vertical first port located in said first end portion;
a generally vertical third port located in said second end portion;
a generally vertical fifth port located on said medial portion; and
a tab with an opening extending from an exterior surface of said unitary body;

a second valve member positioned in the passageway in said second end portion, said second valve member opening said passageway between said medial portion and said third port when said second valve member is in a first position, and said second valve member closing said passageway between said medial portion and said third port when said second valve member is in a second position;
a vacuum breaker coupled to said fifth port;
a vertical member coupled to said tab; and
a horizontal member coupled to the bottom of said vertical member.

19. The expansion tank service assembly of claim 18 , including a generally horizontal fourth port located in said second end portion.

20. The expansion tank service assembly of claim 18 , including a plug coupled to a sixth port located in said first end portion.

Assignees

• Nibco

Inventors

• Terry Andrew J
• Coates Andrew J
• Mason Christopher W

Classifications

• F16L41/021

  T- or cross-pieces (F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence) · CPC title

• F24H1/188

  with means for compensating water expansion · CPC title

• F24D2220/0242

  Multiple way valves · CPC title

• F24H9/2007

  for water heaters · CPC title

• F24D2220/0278

  Expansion vessels · CPC title