Geyser

Abstract

The invention provides a geyser ( 210 ) for heating water in domestic or industrial applications. The geyser ( 210 ) includes a first end section ( 212 ), a second end section ( 214 ), and a central section ( 216 ) between the first and second end sections. The central section ( 216 ) includes a plurality of modular components ( 218 and 220 ) defining an inner wall ( 316 ) which together with the first and second end sections ( 212 and 214 ) forms a primary, sealed chamber (C) for containing fluid within the geyser ( 210 ), in use, and an outer wall ( 318 ), spaced from the inner wall ( 316 ), which together with the inner wall ( 316 ) and the first and second end sections ( 212 and 214 ) forms a secondary, safety chamber (D) for containing fluid expelled from the primary chamber (C) upon failure of the geyser ( 210 ). An outlet ( 331 ) is provided on the geyser ( 210 ) for allowing fluid to discharge from the secondary, safety chamber (D), typically via a vent pipe, to a desired location. The invention also relates to a kit for forming the geyser, and to a method of manufacturing the geyser.

1 . A geyser comprising:
 a first end section;   a second end section;   a central section between the first and second end sections, the central section defining an inner wall which together with the first and second end sections forms a primary, sealed chamber for containing fluid within the geyser, in use, and an outer wall, spaced from the inner wall, which together with the inner wall and the first and second end sections forms a secondary, safety chamber for containing fluid expelled from the primary chamber upon failure of the geyser; and   an outlet for allowing fluid to discharge from the secondary, safety chamber to a desired location.   
   
   
       2 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , including a vent pipe for carrying fluid discharged from the secondary, safety chamber to the desired location. 
   
   
       3 . A geyser according to  claim 2 , including a pressure release mechanism for regulating the discharge of fluid from the secondary, safety chamber. 
   
   
       4 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary chamber is connected to a vent pipe via a pressure release mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the central section includes male and/or female engaging formations which are engaged with corresponding female and/or male engaging formations on the first and second end sections. 
   
   
       6 . A geyser according to  claim 5 , wherein the connection between the central section of the geyser and each of the first and second end sections includes at least one elastomeric seal. 
   
   
       7 . A geyser according to  claim 6 , wherein the engaging formations on the central section and on the first and second end sections are arranged to limit compressive loads applied to the elastomeric seals. 
   
   
       8 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the central section includes a plurality of modular components which are connected to one another. 
   
   
       9 . A geyser according to  claim 8 , wherein the modular components include male and/or female engaging components which are engaged with corresponding female and/or male engaging components on adjacent modular components and with corresponding female and/or male engaging components on the first and second end sections. 
   
   
       10 . A geyser according to  claim 9 , wherein each connection between adjacent modular components and between a modular component and an end section of the geyser includes at least one elastomeric seal. 
   
   
       11 . A geyser according to  claim 10 , wherein the engaging formations on the modular components and on the first and second end sections are arranged to limit compressive loads applied to the elastomeric seals. 
   
   
       12 . A geyser according to  claim 9 , wherein the end sections each include a male engaging formation, and the central section includes an adaptor component which includes a female engaging formation at each of two opposed ends, and a plurality of modular components each of which includes a male engaging formation at one end and a female engaging formation at an opposed end, wherein the adaptor component is connected at each end to one of the modular components, the first and second end sections are each connected to one of the modular components, and each modular component is connected to at least one other modular component. 
   
   
       13 . A geyser according to  claim 9 , wherein the end sections each include a female engaging formation, and the central section includes an adaptor component which includes a male engaging formation at each of two opposed ends, and a plurality of modular components each of which includes a female engaging formation at one end and a male engaging formation at an opposed end, wherein the adaptor component is connected at each end to one of the modular components, the first and second end sections are each connected to one of the modular components, and each modular component is connected to at least one other modular component. 
   
   
       14 . A geyser according to  claim 9 , wherein the central section includes two different types of modular components, a first modular component with female engaging formations at each of two opposed ends thereof, and a second modular component with male engaging formations at each of two opposed ends thereof, wherein the first and second end sections are each connected to one of the first modular components, and each second modular component is connected at each end to one of the first modular components. 
   
   
       15 . A geyser according to  claim 12 , wherein each connection includes at least one elastomeric seal. 
   
   
       16 . A geyser according to  claim 15 , wherein the engaging formations at each connection are arranged to limit compressive loads applied to the elastomeric seals. 
   
   
       17 . A geyser according to  claim 1  including external and/or internal bracing. 
   
   
       18 . A geyser according to  claim 17 , including reinforcing frames which extend across the inside of the central section. 
   
   
       19 . A geyser according to  claim 18 , wherein the reinforcing frames define a row of ribs along the length of the central section. 
   
   
       20 . A geyser according to  claim 17 , including a screen for limiting the flow of fluid entering the geyser. 
   
   
       21 . A geyser according to  claim 20 , wherein the screen is connected to at least a portion of the internal bracing. 
   
   
       22 . A geyser according to  claim 17 , including reinforcing ribs between the inner wall and the outer wall of the central section. 
   
   
       23 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the central section is connected to the first and second end sections with mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       24 . A geyser according to  claim 23 , wherein the mechanical fasteners comprise a plurality of bolts which extend through the first end section and the central section, and which are connected to the second end section by means of a plurality of nuts. 
   
   
       25 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary, safety chamber contains an insulation material. 
   
   
       26 . A geyser according to  claim 25 , wherein the insulation material comprises a polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       27 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the end sections each include an end face which is curved convexly with respect to the primary chamber. 
   
   
       28 . A geyser according to  claim 27 , including an insulated chamber on at least one of the end sections for insulating at least portions of electrical components for the geyser. 
   
   
       29 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end sections include supports for supporting the geyser, in use. 
   
   
       30 . A geyser according to  claim 1 , wherein the central section and the first and second end sections are formed from a polymer material. 
   
   
       31 . A method of making a geyser comprising the steps of:
 providing a first end section;   providing a second end section;   providing a central section which defines an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall;   connecting the central section to the first and second end sections so that the inner wall together with the first and second end sections forms a primary, sealed chamber for containing fluid within the geyser, in use, and the outer wall together with the inner wall and the first and second end sections forms a secondary, safety chamber for containing fluid expelled from the primary chamber upon failure of the geyser; and   providing an outlet for allowing fluid to discharge from the secondary, safety chamber to a desired location.   
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the steps of providing the central section and the first and second end sections include forming these sections in an injection molding process. 
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein the central section and the first and second end sections are formed from a polymer material. 
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the step of connecting the central section to the first and second end sections includes locating elastomeric seals between the various sections. 
   
   
       35 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the central section includes a plurality of modular components, and the method includes the step of connecting the modular components together with elastomeric seals to form the central section. 
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the central section and/or the first and second end sections are formed with external and/or internal bracing. 
   
   
       37 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the end sections and the central section are connected together by means of mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       38 . A method according to  claim 31 , including the step of inserting an insulating material into the secondary chamber. 
   
   
       39 . A method according to  claim 38 , wherein the insulating material is a polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       40 . A kit for forming a geyser comprising:
 a first end section;   a second end section;   a central section defining an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall, wherein the first section and the second section are connectable to the central section so that the inner wall together with the first and second end sections forms a primary, sealed chamber for containing fluid within the geyser, in use, and the outer wall together with the inner wall and the first and second end sections forms a secondary, safety chamber for containing fluid expelled from the primary chamber upon failure of the geyser; and   an outlet in the first end section, the second end section and/or the central section for allowing fluid to discharge from the secondary, safety chamber to a desired location, in use.   
   
   
       41 . A kit according to  claim 40 , wherein the central section includes a plurality of modular components which are connectable to one another. 
   
   
       42 . A kit according to  claim 40 , including mechanical fasteners for connecting the first end section and the second end section to the central section.