Valves for use with tankless water heater

Abstract

Valve arrangements for use with a tankless water heater include a housing with at least first, second and third ports with a valve member provided within the first port. A valve member is provided for the second port. A cold water valve arrangement may include a strainer provided at the second port and a check valve provided at the first port. The valve arrangement may be used with various pipe connectors including a push pr push-fit connection for the first port.

1 . A valve arrangement for use with a tankless water heater, comprising:
 an integral valve housing comprising an interior passageway in communication with a first port, a second port, and a third port;   a first valve member provided within the integral valve housing at said first port, the first valve member being selectively positioned to control communication with said interior passageway of said valve housing at said first port;   a second valve member provided within the integral valve housing at said second port, the second valve member being selectively positioned to control communication with said interior passageway of said valve housing at said second port.   
   
   
       2 . The valve arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said first port of said valve housing further comprises an integrally formed push-fit connection arrangement comprising a teeth ring having a plurality of teeth directed generally radially inwardly and generally toward the interior passageway of said valve housing. 
   
   
       3 . The valve arrangement of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an annular sealing member provided axially between said teeth ring and said valve housing;   a first shoulder which limits movement of the teeth ring toward the valve member,   an annular ring, said annular ring being provided between the teeth ring and the first shoulder.   
   
   
       4 . The valve arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said valve housing further comprises a second shoulder provided between the first shoulder and the valve member, said second shoulder having a smaller diameter than said first shoulder. 
   
   
       5 . The valve arrangement of  claim 4  wherein said annular sealing member is provided between said second shoulder and said annular ring, said valve housing further comprising a third shoulder, said third shoulder being provided between said second shoulder and said valve member, said third shoulder having a smaller diameter than said second shoulder, said third shoulder having a diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of a pipe to be received within the teeth ring, said sealing member, when not compressed, having an inside diameter which is smaller than the outside diameter of said pipe to be received within the teeth ring. 
   
   
       6 . The valve arrangement of  claim 3  further comprising a teeth ring retainer which maintains the teeth ring positioned between the first shoulder and the teeth ring retainer and wherein rotation of the teeth ring relative to the valve housing is prevented. 
   
   
       7 . The valve arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first port forms a cold water inlet for said tankless water heater. 
   
   
       8 . The valve arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first port forms a hot water outlet for said tankless water heater. 
   
   
       9 . The valve arrangement of  claim 8  wherein said valve housing further comprises a fourth port, a pressure relief valve being provided at said fourth port. 
   
   
       10 . A valve arrangement for use with a tankless water heater, comprising:
 an integral valve housing comprising an interior passageway in communication with a first port, a second port, and a third port;   a first valve member provided within the integral valve housing at said first port, the first valve member being selectively positioned to control communication with said interior passageway of said valve housing at said first port, said first port forming a cold water inlet for said tankless water heater;   a second valve member provided at said second port, the second valve member being selectively positioned to control communication with said interior passageway of said valve housing at said second port;   a strainer provided within said interior passageway of said valve housing adjacent said second port.   
   
   
       11 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  wherein said strainer comprises wire mesh provided within said interior passageway of said valve housing between said inlet and said third port. 
   
   
       12 . The valve arrangement of  claim 11  wherein said second valve member may be disconnected from said second port and wherein said strainer may be removed from said interior passageway of said valve housing when said second valve is disconnected from said second port. 
   
   
       13 . The valve arrangement of  claim 12  wherein said valve housing is adapted so as to provide a cylindrical chamber, said strainer being provided within said cylindrical chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The valve arrangement of  claim 13  wherein said strainer is generally cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       15 . The valve arrangement of  claim 14  wherein said strainer has an opening in a sidewall of said strainer corresponding to a cross sectional configuration of said interior passageway at said first port, said opening in said sidewall of said strainer being aligned with said first port of said valve housing when said strainer is provided within said valve housing. 
   
   
       16 . The valve arrangement of  claim 5  wherein a guide member is provided at a first end of said strainer, said guide member having at least one radially extending tab which is selectively received within a corresponding slot provided at said second port to align the opening of said strainer with said first port of said valve housing. 
   
   
       17 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein said first port of said valve housing further comprises an integrally formed push-fit connection arrangement comprising a teeth ring having a plurality of teeth directed generally radially inwardly and generally toward the interior passageway of said valve housing. 
   
   
       18 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an annular sealing member provided axially between said teeth ring and said valve housing;   a first shoulder which limits movement of the teeth ring toward the valve member,   an annular ring, said annular ring being provided between the teeth ring and the first shoulder.   
   
   
       19 . The valve arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein said valve housing further comprises a second shoulder provided between the first shoulder and the valve member, said second shoulder having a smaller diameter than said first shoulder. 
   
   
       20 . The valve arrangement of  claim 16  wherein said annular sealing member is provided between said second shoulder and said annular ring, said valve housing further comprising a third shoulder, said third shoulder being provided between said second shoulder and said valve member, said third shoulder having a smaller diameter than said second shoulder, said third shoulder having a diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of a pipe to be received within the teeth ring, said sealing member, when not compressed, having an inside diameter which is smaller than the outside diameter of said pipe to be received within the teeth ring. 
   
   
       21 . The valve arrangement of  claim 17  further comprising a teeth ring retainer which maintains the teeth ring positioned between the first shoulder and the teeth ring retainer and wherein rotation of the teeth ring relative to the valve housing is prevented. 
   
   
       22 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  further comprising a check valve provided generally at said first outlet. 
   
   
       23 . The valve arrangement of  claim 11  wherein said check valve is provided upstream of said first valve member.