This invention relates to a modified ball valve, and in particular a modified three- way ball valve. The modified ball valve of the present invention has been developed for use in domestic and commercial water heating systems and water-based central heating systems, and will be described herein with reference to such use. However, it is envisaged that the modified ball valve of the present invention will also find use in a wide range of other fluid (liquid or gas) circulation systems, for example in automotive applications, aircraft, boats, air conditioning systems etc.

The applicant’s own earlier publications nos. GB 2,561 ,764 and GB 2,548,204 disclose, respectively, a three-way boiler service and maintenance valve, and a water heating system incorporating the same. The valve has first and second connectors, a separate flush entrance, and a ball valve member having a plurality of apertures and arranged for movement so as selectively to interconnect any two, or all three, of: the first and second connectors and the flush entrance. An access port for a filling loop is also provided, fluid communication with which is permitted when any two of the first and second connectors and the flush entrance are interconnected.

The present invention constitutes a further improvement and adaptation of such a valve. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a further modified three- way ball valve in which fluid communication with an access port provided on the valve can be enabled in all open and closed positions of the valve.

According to the present invention there is provided a modified valve comprising:

- a body having first, second and third connectors, at least said first and second connectors being adapted for connection to a respective element of a fluid circulation system;

- a ball valve member enclosed internally within the body and arranged for selective rotation between a range of positions; and

- first, second and third apertures provided in the ball valve member and arranged in a configuration so as selectively to permit fluid communication between at least two of said first, second and third connectors in each of said range of positions of the ball valve member; and wherein:

- the body further comprises a fourth connector; and

- the ball valve member further comprises a conduit to permit fluid communication between said fourth connector and at least two of said first, second and third connectors in each of said range of positions of the ball valve member. The first, second and third connectors are arranged on the body so as to form a coplanar T-shaped configuration, with the fourth connector being located out of said plane. The first, second and third apertures are similarly arranged on the ball valve member so as to form a corresponding coplanar T-shaped configuration, with the conduit for the fourth connector being located at least partially out of said plane. The first, second and third apertures communicate with one another via an internal cavity provided in the ball valve member. The ball valve member is arranged for rotation of the first, second and third apertures in the shared plane of the first, second and third connectors, so as to align the apertures with the connectors in different combinations thereof, and thereby to define each of the range of positions of the ball valve member. Gasket seals are preferably provided internally of the first, second and third connectors, between said connectors and the ball valve member.

The presence of the fourth connector and the conduit enhance the functionality of the ball valve, thus effectively modifying it from a three-way to a four-way valve.

With reference to the applicant’s earlier publications as hereinbefore identified, it should be understood that the flush entrance as described therein effectively corresponds to the third connector as described herein and the access port as described therein effectively corresponds to the fourth connector as described herein.

In one embodiment of modified valve according to the present invention, the conduit comprises a fourth aperture provided in the ball valve member, and arranged to communicate with the first, second and third apertures via the internal cavity of the ball valve member. The fourth aperture is located outside the shared plane of the first, second and third apertures. The fourth aperture can thus remain aligned with the fourth connector whichever of said range of positions the ball valve member is rotated into.

In an alternative embodiment of modified valve according to the present invention, the conduit comprises a channel formed in the outer surface of the ball valve member and in communication with one of said first, second or third apertures. Preferably, the channel extends to said one of said first, second or third apertures from an entry point on the outer surface of the ball valve member located outside the shared plane of the first, second and third apertures. More preferably, the channel extends to the third aperture from an entry point on the outer surface of the ball valve member located generally equidistant from said first, second and third apertures.

As will be appreciated, in this alternative embodiment of modified valve, fluid is permitted to flow over the outer surface of the ball valve member, in addition to the flow of fluid through the internal cavity. This arrangement also lends itself to use of the modified valve in applications where mixing of two fluids is required, for example for cooling, cleaning or water purification. It is further envisaged that the enhanced functionality of the valve may permit one modified valve to be utilised where two conventional valves would previously have been required, thus saving space.

The location of the entry point outside the shared plane of the first, second and third apertures enables said entry point to remain aligned with the fourth connector whichever of said range of positions the ball valve member is rotated into.

In order to facilitate fluid communication between the channel and each of the first, second or third connectors, the gasket seals provided internally of the connectors may preferably be provided with notches adapted for alignment with the channel in each of the range of positions of the ball valve member.

Although not currently a preferred construction of modified valve according to the present invention, it is envisaged that in further alternative embodiments, a plurality of channels may be formed in the outer surface of the ball valve member, extending from the entry point to any two, or all three, of said first, second and third apertures.

The range of positions of the ball valve member preferably comprises:

- a first open position allowing fluid communication between the first connector and the third connector, but not the second connector;

- a second open position, allowing fluid communication between the second connector and the third connector, but not the first connector;

- a third open position, allowing fluid communication between all three of the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector; and

- a closed position, allowing fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector, but not the third connector.

The fourth connector may communicate with each of the engaged connectors in each of the above positions, i.e.\ the first and third connectors in the first open position; the second and third connectors in the second open position; the first, second and third connectors in the third open position; and the first and second connectors in the closed position.

Communication with the fourth connector may only be required intermittently - as will be the case where the modified valve is utilised in a water heating system and the fourth connector is an access port for a filling loop. The fourth connector may therefore desirably be provided with separate closure means.

Similarly, communication with the third connector may only be required intermittently - as will be the case where the modified valve is utilised in a water heating system and the third connector is a flush entrance. The third connector may therefore desirably be provided with separate closure means, such as a sealing cap. The valve body may comprise a plurality of faces and is preferably cuboid, having six faces. The first and second connectors are preferably provided on first and second opposed faces. The third connector is preferably provided on a third face, orthogonal to said first and second faces, and having a fourth face opposed thereto. The fourth connector may either be provided on a fifth or sixth face arranged orthogonally to said first, second and third faces. Providing the fourth connector on the fifth or sixth face locates the fourth connector out of the plane of rotation, and thereby enables the conduit to permit fluid communication whichever position the ball valve member is in.

The first and second connectors may be adapted for connection to elements of a water heating system, such as a flow or return pipe connected to a boiler. The third connector may be sealed by a cap, when not required. As will be appreciated from the foregoing, when the ball valve member is in the first or second open positions, fluid communication between the first connector and the second connector is prevented. When the modified valve is installed in a system, sealing the third connector when the ball valve member is in the first or second open positions thus effectively isolates the part of the system connected to the first connector from the part of the system connected to the second connector. This is desirable when wishing to service different elements of the system, as described in the applicant’s earlier publications as hereinbefore identified. A pair of modified valves may be installed, one member of said pair being installed in the flow pipe of the system, and the other member of the pair being installed in the return pipe. In other types of fluid circulation system, it may be desirable to install one member of the pair in a hot water feed pipe, and the other member of the pair in a cold water feed pipe. In such applications, the modified valve is particularly beneficial for use in descaling processes.

Movement of the ball valve member from one position to another may be effected by a manually or electrically operated actuator.

In a further development of the present invention, the actuator may be incorporated into one of the connectors, and preferably is incorporated into the third connector. The actuator may thus preferably be formed as a rotatable pipe section connected to said connector and adapted to effect rotation of the ball valve member within the valve body. Rotation of the ball valve member may preferably be effected by the rotatable pipe section engaging with one of the apertures or the conduit of the ball valve member. More preferably, the rotatable pipe section engages with a slot formed at the entry point of the channel constituting the conduit, in embodiments which comprise this feature. The actuator may additionally comprise a rotatable collar provided on said connector and adapted to effect rotation of the rotatable pipe section, and thereby the ball valve member within the valve body.

In such embodiments featuring the incorporation of the actuator into the third connector, and engagement of the rotatable pipe section with the conduit, re-alignment of the ball valve member within the valve body is required, such that the conduit remains aligned with third connector during rotation of the ball valve member.

Incorporating the actuator within one of the connectors frees up an additional face of the valve body, which would otherwise house the actuator. This free space may then be utilised to house a control unit for monitoring and displaying real time data associated with the performance of the fluid circulation system, for example, the flow rate, temperature or pressure of fluid within the system. In applications where the modified valve is utilised for the mixing of two fluids, the control unit may be adapted to measure the flow rate, temperature or pressure of both fluids.

The control unit may be further adapted to transmit the generated real time data wirelessly, for example via WiFi, Bluetooth or cellular signal to a remote receiver. The remote receiver may be a remote computer or cloud server for storage of the data, or may be a remote computer or portable device for real time monitoring of the data, for example by a heating professional where the fluid circulation system is a water heating system. In such applications, the control unit may be further adapted to transmit an alert to the remote receiver when the data generated falls outside pre-set parameters.

In order that the present invention may be clearly understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in detail, though only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modified valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first construction of ball valve member, being a component part of the modified valve of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of ball valve member, being a component part of the modified valve of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a modified valve according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective detailed view showing the engagement of a rotatable pipe section and a ball valve member, being component parts of a modified valve according to the embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified valve according to the embodiment of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a side view of a modified valve according to the embodiment of Figure 4.

Referring first to Figure 1 , there is shown a modified valve, generally indicated 10, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The valve 10 comprises a generally cuboid body 11 having first 12 and second 13 opposed faces, a third face 14 orthogonal to said first 12 and second 13 faces, a fourth face 15 opposed to said third face 14, and fifth 16 and sixth 17 opposed faces, orthogonal to said first 12, second 13, third 14 and fourth 15 faces.

The first face 12 is provided with a first connector 18, and the second face 13 is provided with a second connector 19. Each said connector 18, 19 is adapted for connection to a respective element of a fluid circulation system, such as a flow or return pipe of a water heating system. The third face 14 is provided with a third connector 21 which is similarly adapted for connection to an element of a fluid circulation system, and is additionally provided with a sealing cap 22 to close the connector 21 when not in use. The third connector 21 may be utilised as a flush entrance when the valve 10 is installed in a water heating system. A fourth connector 23 is provided on the fifth face 16 of the body 11 , and is similarly provided with a sealing cap 24 to close the fourth connector 23 when not in use. The fourth connector 23 may be utilised as an access port for a filling loop when the valve 10 is installed in a water heating system.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a first construction of ball valve member 30 for use in the valve 10 of Figure 1 , the ball valve member 30 being mounted for rotation internally within the valve body 11 . The ball valve member 30 comprises first 31 , second 32 and third 33 apertures, arranged in a coplanar, generally T-shaped configuration, and in fluid communication with one another via an internal cavity 34 formed in the ball valve member 30. A fourth aperture 35, also in fluid communication with the internal cavity 34, is located outside the shared plane of the first 31 , second 32 and third 33 apertures.

The ball valve member 30 is mounted within the valve body 11 for rotation in the shared plane of the first 31 , second 32 and third 33 apertures. The fourth aperture 35 remains in alignment with the fourth connector 23 whilst the ball valve member 30 is rotated so as interchangeably to align the first 31 , second 32 and third 33 apertures with the first 18, second 19 and third 21 connectors. This permits fluid communication between any two, or all three, of said first 18, second 19 and third 21 connectors, depending on the rotational position of the ball valve member 30. Fluid communication with the fourth connector 23 is always permitted, regardless of the rotational position of the ball valve member 30. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative construction of ball valve member 40 for use in the valve 10 of Figure 1 , the ball valve member 40 being mounted for rotation internally within the valve body 11. The ball valve member 40 again comprises first 31 and second 32 apertures, and a modified third aperture 44, arranged in a coplanar, generally T-shaped configuration, and in fluid communication with one another via an internal cavity 34 formed in the ball valve member 40. The third aperture 44 is modified by part of the periphery thereof being stepped in to form a lip 43. The fourth aperture 35 present in the ball valve member 30 of Figure 2 is now replaced by a channel 41 formed in the surface of the ball valve member 40, and extending from an entry point 42, located outside the shared plane of the first 31 , second 32 and third 44 apertures, to the lip 43 forming part of the periphery of the modified third aperture 44. Fluid communication between the entry point 42 and the internal cavity 34 is only permitted via the channel 41 and the modified third aperture 44.

The ball valve member 40 is mounted within the valve body 11 for rotation in the shared plane of the first 31 , second 32 and third 44 apertures. The entry point 42 remains in alignment with the fourth connector 23 whilst the ball valve member 30 is rotated so as interchangeably to align the first 31 , second 32 and third 44 apertures with the first 18, second 19 and third 21 connectors. This permits fluid communication between any two, or all three, of said first 18, second 19 and third 21 connectors, depending on the rotational position of the ball valve member 40. Fluid communication with the fourth connector 23 is always permitted, regardless of the rotational position of the ball valve member 40.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an exploded view of a modified valve, generally indicated 50, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The principal components of the valve 50 are unchanged from the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, and are referenced with like reference numerals. The valve 50 of this embodiment is further modified in that an actuator 60, for effecting rotation of the ball valve member 40 within the valve body 11 , is incorporated into the third connector 21 .

The actuator 60 comprises a rotatable pipe section 61 forming the third connector 21 , and adapted to engage with the ball valve member 40, as can best be seen in Figure 5. The rotatable pipe section 61 is shaped so as to engage with the channel 41 of the ball valve member 40, and comprises a cut-out section 62 to facilitate fluid communication between the rotatable pipe section 61 and the channel 41 . Referring again to Figure 4, and as can also be seen in Figure 6, the pipe section 61 engages with a rotatable collar 63 mounted on the valve body 11 to facilitate operation. The valve body 11 is also provided with markings 64 to assist with correctly aligning the valve 50 during operation. The alignment of the ball valve member 40 within the valve body 11 is adjusted for this embodiment of valve 50 compared to the valve 10 of Figures 1 to 3. The ball valve member 40 is still mounted within the valve body 11 for rotation in the shared plane of the first 31 , second 32 and third 44 apertures, however that rotation now interchangeably aligns the first 31 , second 32 and third 44 apertures with the first 18, second 19 and fourth 23 connectors. The entry point 42 now remains in alignment with the third connector 21 whilst the ball valve member 40 is rotated. This permits fluid communication between any two, or all three, of said first 18, second 19 and fourth 23 connectors, depending on the rotational position of the ball valve member 40. Fluid communication with the third connector 21 is always permitted regardless of the rotational position of the ball valve member 40.

Referring now to Figure 7, the incorporation of the actuator 60 into the third connector 21 frees up space on the fourth face 15 of the valve body 11 , which would in conventional valve arrangements otherwise house the actuator 60. This free space can now be utilised to house a control unit 70 for displaying, for example, the flow rate, temperature or pressure of fluid within the fluid circulation system in which the valve 50 is installed.