Flexible universal flue pipe connector with damper and sweep access (connector with damper and access)

Abstract

One embodiment of a pipe universal connector having pluralities of conduits (25, 33, 35) which communicates with other pipes (63), appliance (67) and access bin (39). At least one or more conduits consist of flexible material that can instantly adjust-on-demand to desired angle, offset, turns and positions, making this connector able to replace a T-pipe, Y-pipe and more. In addition, damper (27) and gutter (53) inhabits the intersection (59) to control access to energy and environmental modules, debris, draft and downdraft movement.

Claims

1. A flexible pipe connector fitting, comprising: a cylindrically shaped main connection fitting having a first opening at a first end, a second opening at an opposite second end and a third opening intermediate said first and second openings; a first flexible branch conduit having a first end adapted to being connected to a first flue pipe and a second end connected to the first opening at the first end of the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting; a second flexible branch conduit having a first opening at a first end connected with the third opening in the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting; a third flexible branch conduit having a first end connected to the second opening of the second end of said cylindrically shaped main connection fitting and a second end adapted to be connected to a second flue pipe; an oblong shaped gutter attached at an oblique angle to an inner circumference of the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting, the oblong shaped gutter attached with a gutter surface mounted between the second opening of the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting and the first opening of the second flexible branch whereby the gutter surface extends upward from the second opening of the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting towards the first opening at the first end of the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting; a damper mounted within the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting at the intersection of the second opening of the cylindrically shaped main connection fitting and the first opening of the second flexible branch for moving between a first position that opens the second end of the third flexible conduit and closes the first end of the second flexible conduit to provide communication between the first and third flexible conduits, a second position that opens the first end of the second flexible conduit and rests against the oblong shaped gutter surface to close the second end of the third flexible conduit and provide communication between the first and second flexible conduits whereby the damper channels debris from the first flexible conduit into the second flexible conduit; and a removable bin connected to a second end of the second conduit, the bin having an access inlet through which a flexible brush mounted to a brush rod can be inserted through the second flexible conduit and wherein when the damper is in the second position to provide communication between the first and second flexible conduits, the flexible brush mounted to the brush rod can be directed by the damper into the first conduit for cleaning the first conduit and debris from the first conduit is directed by the damper into the second conduit to be collected in the bin.

2. The flexible pipe connector fitting of claim 1, wherein the access inlet in the removable bin receives the flexible brush mounted to the brush rod, the brush rod being of a length sufficient to extend, when said damper is in the second position, through the connection intersection and into said first flexible branch conduit to a flue pipe.

3. The flexible pipe connector fitting of claim 1, wherein said second conduit has as second outlet end and said bin includes an access end for receiving the second outlet end of the second conduit.

4. The flexible pipe connector fitting of claim 3, wherein said bin is detachable from the second conduit and configured with an enclosure in which debris is collected and having the brush inlet through which the flexible brush mounted to the brush rod can be inserted when cleaning is desired and removed thereafter.

5. The flexible pipe connector fitting of claim 4, which includes a pivotable cover for removably covering the brush inlet.

6. The flexible pipe connector fitting of claim 1, wherein said damper has a third position between the first and second position to control the level of draft through the first and third conduits.

Description

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

(1) FIG 1. is a perspective view of the universal connector, showing a pass thru sweep brush and a cutout of intersection inner structure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal connector having three flexible members presented, showing a cutout of intersection and inner structure damper and trough.

(3) FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the central portion of FIG. 2.showing a trough, and the damper.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a universal connector having one flexible member presented in accordance with this disclosure, showing a cutout of intersection and inner structure damper and trough.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of strap for connecting a universal connector to components of the flue system.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a universal connector having application in a fireplace insert combustion flue system.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a universal connector having application in a stand-alone combustion flue system.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

(8) TABLE-US-00003 21 damper control 23 latch 25 flexible conduit 27 damper 29 female 31 strap connection end 33 secondary 35 main conduit 35b outlet flexible conduit connection 37 hook 39 bin 41 brush inlet cover 43 brush inlet 45 spring 47 brush cover controller 49 particle outlet 51a secondary male connection end 51b male 53 gutter 55 brush connection end 57 brush rod 59 Intersection 61 brick chimney wall 63 flue pipe 67 appliance 68 appliance male connection 69 creosote 71 attachment particles seams

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(9) Construction:—FIGS. 3, 4

(10) One embodiment of the universal connector is illustrated in FIG. 3 (side view) and FIG. 4 (static view). The connector has a main connection 35 consisting of cylindrical material suitable for the particular application. For high temperature combustion, such as wood stove and coal, refractive material such as Titanium alloy, 0.005″ or better thickness, stainless steel, 0.015″ or better thickness are used. The main connection 35 is adopted for connecting to a pipe downstream with a female end 29 in accordance with American Chimney Safety Institute and likewise a male end 51a for connecting upstream to a flue source. In one embodiment, a strap 31 from FIG. 4 is used for primary or additional connection with any flue source or pipe. The ends of the main connection 35 are provided with anchor latches 23, used for some hook types of connection.

(11) Along the main connection 35 cylinder and between male end 51a and the female end 29 is located an oblong gutter 53 attached to the inner circumference and a circular opening on which branch flexible pipe 25 is connected. The gutter 53 consists of same material as the main connection 35 and opens its outlet into the bottom of the branch flexible pipe 25. On top and across the opening of the gutter is attached a damper 27 with its damper control 21 to elevate or lower the damper over the gutter 53. The branch pipe 25 is connected to the main connection 35 circular opening by any means known in the art including welding. The branch flexible pipe 25 consists of corrugated cylinder made of refractive such as Titanium alloy, 0.005″ or better thickness, stainless steel, 0.015″ or better thickness material. The branch flexible pipe terminated in a male end 51b and has the optional latch 23. A removable bin 39 is designed for connecting to the mail ends 51a or 51b by hook 37 means on the latch 23 means for attachment. A bin 39 consisting of same material as the main connection 35 and embodies a brush inlet 43 at the bottom. The brush inlet 43 is provided with a brush inlet cover 41. The brush inlet cover 41 is controlled by a brush cover controller 47 with a spring 45 to provide a stability control tension.

(12) FIGS. 2, 2A—Alternate Embodiments

(13) In achieving a multiple flexible branch conduits 25, 33 and 35 in FIG. 1, there are several attachment options, like a connecting intersection 59. A connecting intersection 59 for the multiple conduits consists of same refractive material that is pattern stamped and welded along the seams to form openings for the desired number of branch conduits. The formed openings of the connecting intersection 59 are flared, bent outwards and backwards to form an outward grove. The flexible pipe connecting branch conduits end are flared, bent inward and backwards to form an inward grove. The outward grove of the connecting intersection 59 opening and the inward grove of the branch conduit pipe are hooked and crimped or welded to form attachment seams connection 71.

(14) In another alternate attachment option for connecting intersection 59 is pattern stamped to include desired number female and female ends. This alternate embodiment allows the flexible branch conduits 25, 33, and 35 to have a male 51a and female 29 on opposite ends or male-male or female-female ends. Under this embodiment, user may order components and design their desired universal connectors

(15) Operation:—FIGS. 1, 5, 6

(16) Using the universal connector to connect pipe to pipe or pipe to appliance is similar but relatively easier than using a T-, L-pipes and other forms of connectors currently available. The universal connector could be used to replace existing connections that does not have a damper and easy access functionality that comes with the present invention.

(17) To install universal connector 710 in place of existing T-pipe, L-pipe and regular flue pipe connection, a section of the existing pipe or connection has to be removed. Prior to removing the section, the correct diameter of the universal connector would be ordered from the manufacturer or distributor by a chimney professional such as American Chimney Safety Certified Technician. The type of universal connector embodiment—one flexible conduit 700 or pluralities of flexible conduit 710 has to be determined. The appropriate or suitable fastener options have to be determined. Adequate fasteners for the determined installation method have to be acquired. The universal connector offers several fastening methods such as clamps 33 in FIG. 4 hooks 37 and latch 23, riveting and self-drill screws.

(18) After removing an existing T, L or flue pipe, appropriate length has to be removed to make room for the universal connector 710. Once again, the stretchable and contractible features of the universal connector conduits make it possible to exempt precision is the length that would be cut. In other words, for universal connector 710 with all-flexible connections 25, 33, and 35, the room created, need not be exact as the stretching and contracting is an in-built character. The universal connector 710 is put in place and fastened. Where installation placement is angular or horizontal, it is preferred that the connection 25, leading to the bin 39 be at relative lower half of the horizontal plane to allow flow of condensate and loose material to the bin 39. On the other hand, when the conduit 25, leading to the bin 39 is on the top half of the horizontal plane, the steepness angle must not exceed the effect of the oblong angle of the gutter 53 to channel material and condensate towards the bin 39 conduit 25.

(19) Upon complete installation, outside air downdraft are prevented by closing conduit 33 leading to the appliance 67 and attaching the bin 39 to the male connection end 51b. The conduit 33 is closed by turning the damper control 21 counter-clockwise until the attached damper 27 covers over the gutter 53. When appliance is to be used, the damper 27 is opened to desired level of draft by turning the draft control 21 clockwise.

(20) Prior to reuse of an appliance 67, the flue may need cleaning. Directing attention to FIG. 4, a brush inlet 43 is opened by pushing-in a brush cover controller 47 against a return spring 45 and rotates it until brush inlet cover 41 is clear-out of the brush inlet 43. A sweep brush 55 such as a sweeping whip or spin brush attached to a sweep rod 57 such as ButtonLok™ brand is inserted thru a brush inlet 43 towards the intersection 59. The damper controller 21 is used to close the damper 27, by turning until it covers over the oblique angle of the gutter 53 surface. The Damper 27 closes-out the appliance conduit 33 from debris and directs the brush and rod downstream of the flue pipe and debris down the bin 39.

(21) Directing attention to FIG. 5, the connector is used in a fireplace insert stove 67 connection to a chimney flue pipe. The embodiment of compressibility of the conduits is illustrated in the conduit 33 where lack of space and need to shorten the connection was me the bin 39 is in place while the appliance in use. When the appliance is not in use, the damper 27 is closed; sweep brush 55 and its rod 57 can be inserted into the flue pipe from the top, as an alternative process. The closed damper will perform the role of protecting the appliance and directing the sweep brush 55, rod 57 and debris 69 towards the bin 39. After the sweep process, the bin 39 may would be detached, content discarded and bin 39 is reattached and the system is ready for use. Where available and desired, a vacuum cleaner may be attached to the bin's particle outlet 47 by removing its cap.

(22) Directing attention to FIG. 6, the connector is used in a standalone stove 67 connecting to a flue pipe 63 exiting through a chimney wall 61. Notable in this application of the universal connector 710 is the offset in alignment between the appliance 67 location and the vertical position of the pipe 63. The offset is well compensated but the flexible conduit 33.

(23) In another embodiment, the universal connector 710 is used in a hot water gas boiler vent to draw ambient air to mix and cool boiler 67 hot flue to make the flue temperature cooler for plastic vent pipe that cannot handle hot flue temperature. The damper 27 is used to partition between the hot flue gas and the ambient intake through the conduit 25. In such instant, the bin 39 is not attached or when attached, the inlet cover 41 is left open for ambient air to enter.

(24) Advantages

(25) The present universal connector disclosure offers all and more of the following advantages:

(26) 1. Conduit (a) Provide easier access means to sweep the creosote in the flue pipe, access and maintain energy recovery and environmental flue modules connected downstream. (b) Provide alternative cleaning from the top of chimney, making disassembling of the appliance smokes shelf and potential damage of catalytic combustor becomes a thing of the past. (c) No need to disassemble the connections in other to perform maintenance cleaning. It cuts down on high level of sophistication, training, time and tool required to perform maintenance. It becomes ideal for a routine or do-it-yourself maintenance. (d) Provide a connector with at least three conduit outlets members in which at least one connecting member is a flexible conduit. In an application where all connecting outlet members are flexible conduits, the connector possesses the overall flexibility to replace a T, L, Y or other forms of connectors. Provide a T and Y flex pipe type function with flexible dimensional adjustment and varying angle. (e) Provide elongation and contraction of extensions to the stack, stove and bin connections Provide the ability to position the bin for easy access without disconnection and removal of the stove. Most common sweep rods such as ButtonLok™ rods will require great energy to negotiate acute angles in the vent pipe system. The present invention provides the on-demand flexible conduit angle. (f) Where a split is needed, the sweep access conduit will be converted to any angle on-demand. It will accommodate human measurement errors, easier adjustable installation, and future redirection changes. There is no need to preposition and align the connecting members in height and angle prior to connection.

(27) 2. Damper (a) Provide damper means to close out down draft and chimney odor from entering living space during idle period. Closes the entrance to the conduit leading to a appliance and direct debris to the conduit leading to the containment bin. There is effective odor and downdraft control stop during downtime. Provide a plate that is mounted at the corner of intersecting members and functions as a lockout of downdraft, odor and loose particle from entering living space. In addition, the plate functions as a damper for appliances and flue pipes that has no existing draft control. (b) At an intersection, the plate directs the sweeping brush and rod to the conduit downstream and debris to the bin. (c) Provide damper to close out downdraft and prevent flue odor from entering living space during the downdraft. Prevent swept particles such as creosote from entering the stove. This damper plays the extra role of closing out the outside air, downdraft and odor from entering living space through the chimney. (d) A damper with all the ability of draft control and into the abilities to control downdraft without residence in the flue path or obstruction of sweep through operation.

(28) 3. Gutter (a) Provide means to direct and prevent swept particulate creosote from entering the smoke shelf of a connected appliance. In current status quo, if a flue pipe creosote is swept through an appliance whose smoke shelf has been removed, without a high capacity vacuum system, the particulate creosote will enter the and living. This invention present a better means to bypass and hence protect an appliance and living space. (b) Provide gutter means to direct loose particles and condensate to flow away from alley to a containment mean. (c) Provide trough to direct flow of condensed fluid and fallen materials into the bin containment.

(29) 4. Bin (a) The particulate matter generated during cleaning is easily contained from personnel and living space in the enclosure of a bin. (b) Provide a bin that contains loose particles from entering the living space during maintenance cleaning. (c) Provide means for connecting and sweeping access for two combustion sources using one flue pipe. Provide a parallel or serial union of two or more stoves alternately sharing one stack pipe. (d) Provide means for union of two or more stoves alternating use of a flue stack. Such alternation can be made a simultaneous use where the there is a positive air displacement means in the flue pipe.

Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope

(30) Accordingly, it can be seen by the reader that this universal connector with its many embodiments can replace any T-, Y-, and L-pipe connector and have convenient remote access, flexibility, and protective lockout for use in combustion appliances and flue pipe connection. It can be seen by the reader that the universal connector, in all its embodiments can connect an appliance more easily to a flue pipe, provide quick access to maintenance, and protect appliance and living space.

(31) Although the drawings and detailed descriptions above contain much specificity, those should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustration of some of embodiments. For example, the use of the universal connector in the hot water boiler could be applied to the use in a dryer vent with some modifications of material. The embodiments are capable of numerous modifications, rearrangements, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and the legal equivalents, rather than the examples given.