The present invention relates to a connection filling assembly for safely filling of a system conduit of a cen ^¬ tral heating system by means of a safe filling connection from a supply water line. Furthermore, the present inven ^¬ tion relates to a method for using of the filling assembly. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing of a connection filling assembly.

It is known to fill a central heating system with wa- ter and to use the water as a heat medium for transport of the heat from a heating boiler to radiators. Conventionally, a hose is used for temporary coupling thereof to an inlet nibble of the heating system which is to be mounted to a filling tab such that filling is possible and that the system is closed when it is not being filled. During use, it is in itself possible to keep the hose mounted, but this is been wise as the hose is then subject to tem ^¬ perature changes of the heating system and the hose would no longer fulfill the purpose of withstanding of pressure and or pressure piece during a longer time period. Fur ^¬ thermore, with the application of a hose, a volume of air is brought into the system when the hose is not vented be ^¬ fore coupling onto the heating system.

In order to obviate such drawbacks, the present in- vention provides a connection filling assembly for safely filling of a system conduit of a central heating system by means of a safe filling connection from a supply water line, the connection filling assembly with safety compris ^¬ ing :

- a water line supply throughput member comprising a supply coupling and a discharge coupling for coupling of the connection filling assembly with safety with a supply water, - a system conduit throughput member comprising a supply coupling and a discharge coupling for coupling of the connection filling assembly with safety with the system conduit,

- a system filling throughput member with safety, interconnecting the water line supply throughput member with the system conduit throughput member,

- a check valve filling valve arrangement, comprising a filling valve and a filling check valve in a mutual ar- rangement in series, providing a unidirectional through flowable and closable connection of the water line supply throughput member with the system conduit throughput mem ^¬ ber .

Such a connection filling assembly according to the present invention provides as advantage that the ease of use for the person filling the central heating system is substantially raised. This user merely needs to open the filling valve for allowing water to flow from the water line supply towards the central heating system. It is hereby important that the check valve prevents that water flows out of the heating system towards the water line. This is of importance as the water

supplies water that is also used for consumption. In an arrangement as is shown by means of preferred embodi- ments in the drawings, the waterline that is used as a consumption the water supply for the water heating function for consumption water of the central heating system is used in this context.

Besides the advantages for the person filling the heating system, also advantages for the installing technician of the heating system are provided. In case of a mounting as shown with a preferred embodiment according to the drawings, the connection filling assembly is arranged in a straightforward and simple manner directly under the heating device of the system. Because of this, merely a limited number of operations needs to be performed in or ^¬ der to mount the parts of the tubing system. Especially in case of the application of the below described preferred embodiments, savings are achieved relative to the number of parts and work. Examples are hereby described as fol ^¬ lows: a relief valve for the water supply, a relief valve for the central heating system, the pressure meter, a venting valve, a connection with the expansion vessel, a valve for the water line supply towards the heating device as well as a check valve for the water line supply.

Furthermore, advantages exist relating to the manu ^¬ facturing of the connection filling assembly according to the present invention. The assembly replaces several dis ^¬ tinct parts which leads to efficiency advantages relating to manufacturing and handling of one part relative to several parts. Also logistical requirements for realizing availability when the combination of functions is re- quired, are less than for the elements according to the prior art.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the con ^¬ nection filling assembly according to the present invention comprises a system conduit sided access member for providing access to the system filling throughput member with safety, preferably with a diameter larger than the diameter of the check valve.

With application of the system conduit sided access member, the manufacturing of the connection filling assem- bly is facilitated. By means of this access member, the filling valve and or the filling check valve can be arranged in the system filling throughput member. It is hereby provided that preferably the filling valve is arranged at the side of the water line and the filling check valve is arranged at the side of the heating system. Within the understanding of the present invention, this order may be reversed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the con ^¬ nection filling assembly comprises a water supply line sided access member for providing access to the system filling throughput member via the water line supply throughput member, preferably with a diameter larger than the diameter of the filling valve. With this feature, it is possible to arrange the filling valve and or the fill ^¬ ing check valve in the system filling throughput member. In the described preferred embodiments, the filling check valve is arranged at the heating system side and the fill- ing valve is arranged at the water line side. Furthermore, within the understanding of the present invention, it is provided that the filling check valve and the filling valve are arranged in separate spaces or the chambers within the system filling throughput member. These can both be arranged in one chamber, such as separated by means of a distance tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the con ^¬ nection filling assembly, water supply line supply

throughput member sided of the check valve and filling valve comprises a water supply line relief valve for dis ^¬ charging water from the supply water in case of overpres ^¬ sure, such as overpressure in case of drinking water heat ^¬ ing, preferably in which a water line check valve is arranged at the water supply side of the water line relief valve. While applying such embodiment, such discharges re ^¬ lief valve does not need to be mounted separately in a conduit, which is a normalized requirement in the practi ^¬ cal application. Further preferably, the connection filling assembly with safety comprises a water line valve for closing of the water supply from the water supply line, which valve is preferably arranged at the water line sided side rela- tive to the relief valve assembly. There with, in a simple manner, the water supply from the water line can be closed off in favor of operations to the heating device. When ap ^¬ plying the present embodiment, to this end there is no further requirement mount a separate valve in the conduit. It is therefore not required to shut off the main valve of the water conduit system of the building or the house in order to perform such operations to the warm water the vice .

Alternatively, by further preference, system conduit supply throughput member sided of the check valve and filling valve comprising a system relief valve for discharging of a fluid from the system conduit, such as water in case of overpressure. This also relates to a part that is required in the central heating system, but that how- ever does not need to be mounted separately.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the con ^¬ nection filling assembly comprises a coupling member for coupling of an accessory in connection to the system conduit. Further preferably, the accessory is a pressure me- ter and/or a drain valve. This end, a nipple with suitable sizing is provided. Considers arrangements of the indi ^¬ cated system conduit relief valve or accessory relate to for example the front side of the crossing of the system conduit throughput member and the system filling through- put member of the side there of that is also indicated in this description as a possible connection for an expansion vessel . Further preferably, in the connection filling assembly with safety, the water line supply throughput member, the system conduit throughput member and the system fill ^¬ ing throughput member are mutually arranged in an H shape arrangement, in which the system filling throughput member forms the connection between the water line supply

throughput member and the system conduit throughput mem ^¬ ber. Therewith, in an advantageous manner, the connection is formed with which the heating system is filled.

Further preferably, the filling valve is a ball type valve or a closable valve. A closing valve is advanta ^¬ geously appliable and provides advantages relative to op ^¬ erating it as it merely requires a rotational movement of 90° for opening thereof. For the purpose of automatically shutting off of the filling valve, is preferably operable in electrical, pneumatical, hydraulic and/or vacuum based manner. Because of this, a user mistake is avoided rela ^¬ tive to leaving the filling valve open for a long time period. This prevents overpressure in the heating system by water line pressure or heating overpressure from the heat ^¬ ing device.

Further preferably, any access member comprises a snap spring slot for receiving of a snap spring providing a stop function for the conduit towards the expansion ves- sel or towards the heating device. Further preferably, any access member comprises a closing cap. Further preferably, the connection filling assembly comprises a coupling member for coupling with a conduit for the purpose of an ex ^¬ pansion vessel. Further preferably, the connection filling assembly with safety comprises a drain valve, preferably for draining of the heating system or parts thereof. Further preferably, the connection filling assembly is suita ^¬ ble for coupling with a water supply line and or system conduit with an external diameter of 10-22 mm, preferably 12-18 mm, further preferably substantially 15 mm.

according to a further preferred embodiment, of the filling connection assembly for the purpose of advanta- geous manufacturing there of, the water line supply throughput member and the system conduit throughput member and the system filling throughput member performed as one body from one piece of material, in which further prefera ^¬ bly coupling means by means of a threaded connection are connectable to the body.

A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a method for filling of a central heating sys ^¬ tem comprising steps for applying a connection filling assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising steps for opening of the valve and closing of the valve in case of the desired pressure and or water quantity in the central heating system. Such a method pro ^¬ vides advantages as described in relation to the above as ^¬ pect .

A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a method of producing of a connection filling assembly, comprising steps of:

- making an H-piece as a semi finished product for forming of a water line supply throughput member, a system conduit throughput member, and a system filling throughput member,

- providing at least one opening for insertion of a filling valve and a filling check valve in a mutual arrangement in series, providing a one-sided through flowa- ble and closable connection between the water line supply throughput member and the system conduit throughput mem ^¬ ber, - arranging at least a space for functionally arrang ^¬ ing the filling valve and the filling check valve therein. Such a method provides advantages as described in relation to the above aspect.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method com ^¬ prises steps of arranging of the filling valve and the filling check valve.

Further advantages, features and details of the pre ^¬ sent invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of one or more embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Similar, yet not necessarily identical parts of distinct preferred embodiments are in ^¬ dicated with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a heat- ing system for application with a preferred embodiment according to the present invention incorporating a 2 ^nd preferred embodiment.

Fig. 2 depicts an cutaway view in perspective of a first preferred embodiment according to the present inven- tion.

Fig. 3 is a representation in perspective of the pre ^¬ ferred embodiment according to Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cutaway representation of in perspective of the 2 ^nd preferred embodiments.

A first preferred embodiment (Fig. 1) according to the present invention concerns a connection filling assembly 2 as represented in a schematic representation of a central heating system devised for providing warm tap water and heating of the house by means of heating water that is guided through radiators. The central heating system comprises a eating device 10, an expansion vessel 16 connected with a return Jupiter 11 by means of Jupiter 18 and the expansion vessel console 17. The eating device 10 is provided with energy by means of a gas tube 13 that supplies gas in the direction of the arrow C.

For the purpose of the warm tap water supply, a water line tube 12 leads towards the eating device 10 supplying of water line water in the direction of the arrow B. Warm water is discharged from the heating device by means of tube 14 in the direction of the arrow D.

For the purpose of supplying warm water towards the radiators, a supply tube 15 is arranged at the left side of the heating device for transporting warm water in the direction of the arrow E. The right side, return conduit 11 from the radiators with a water transport direction in the direction of the arrow is arranged.

In Fig. 1, a connection filling assembly according to the 2nd preferred embodiment according to Fig. 4 is in ^¬ cluded. The description of the preferred embodiments fol ^¬ lows .

In Fig. 2 13, a side view in perspective and cutaway view of the first preferred embodiment is shown. This pre- ferred embodiment is a substantially H-formed connection filling assembly comprising the water line supply throughput member 22, system, with throughput member 21 and system filling throughput member 23, together providing the substantially H-shape. For coupling with the tubes 11, 12 as described in the reference of Fig. 1, the device com ^¬ prises compression fittings 41, 41', 42, 42'. For coupling of the tube 18 for the purpose of the expansion vessel 16, compression coupling 45 is provided. At the opposite side, a closure 44' is provided in the nipple 44. Alternatively, instead of the closure 44', an accessory is considered, such as a drain valve. As an alternative for the compres ^¬ sion couplings of this disclosure, in itself known other couplings are available, such as a press coupling, push in coupling, wire press or soldering.

For the purpose of preventing of a water stream from the tube 11, 21 towards the tube 12, 22, a check valve 31 is provided that is arranged in a chamber 38 at the right side of the system filling throughput member 23. This check valve prevents a flow in the direction of the arrow F and allows a flow in the direction of the arrow G.

Placement of the check valve 31 in the chamber 38 is per ^¬ formed through the opening at the location of the compres- sion fittings 45. By means of this opening, the chamber 38 is actually approachable for placement of the check valve 31. At the side of the compression fittings 45, a slow 37 is arranged for placement therein of a snap ring serving as a stop for the tube 18.

For allowing of this flow for the purpose of filling of the system, thus flowing in the direction of the arrow G from the tube 12, 22 towards tube 11, 21, valve 32 is provided that is arranged in the chamber 34, which is part of the system filling throughput member 23. This valve 32 is a ball valve that is made suitable for arrangement in this chamber. This valve 32 is operated by means of an op ^¬ erating lever arranged at the outer side of the connection tube 33' leading into the chamber 34. The filling valve 32 is fixed in the chamber 34 by means of a fixation ring 36' with an outer thread that is screwed into inner thread 36 of chamber 34. Placement of the valve 32 in the chamber 34 is performed in an axial direction through the opening of the valve 44. Also fixation ring 36' is placed by at this opening of the valve 44.

By means of a quarter turn (90°) of the operating lever, this valve is fully opened (shown in the open state) to allow the water flow in the direction of the arrow G through the tap and then through the check valve 31.

The nipple, check connection or test connection 46 shown with a cap may also function as a receptacle for an accessory such as a drain valve or a pressure gauge (not shown) .

In FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the connector filling assembly 2 shown including substantially the same components as the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2,3. Fur ^¬ thermore, this preferred embodiment comprises a water line relief valve 51 arranged at a forwardly extending part 53. This water supply relief valve 51 serves for the discharge of water via gutter 59 to outlet 58 in case of over-pres ^¬ sure by, for example, heating in the heating device. For this purpose the water-supply-relief valve 51 has a mecha- nism 57 which is set to a predetermined relief pressure and is known per se. To further prevent overpressure in the water pipe, a check valve 52 is provided which is ar ^¬ ranged between the supply to the water supply relief valve and the water line. As a result, the overpressure towards the water line is prevented and the overpressure is di ^¬ rected towards the water pipe relief valve. One reason for this is that the water-discharge relief valve can be set to eight bar while the supply pressure of the water pipe is usually between one-and-a-half and three bar.

Furthermore, this preferred embodiment also has a valve 56 which is located on the water line side of the non-return valve 52. This also is, for example, a ball valve . The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments can be combined, wherein all combinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document must be included. These pre ^¬ ferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.