Simple and more reliable house connection system without parts that will get lost

1 Introduction

These days house connections for connecting and disconnecting the water supply have to fulfil a large number of different requirements but, at the same time, they should also continue to be simple and cost-effective for the customer. For example, integral corrosion protection is now a prerequisite and it must reliably prevent corrosion in all soil conditions, thereby ensuring a long working life. It is also expected that operation should be effortless and possible without exerting force even after decades of use. But, in addition to high operating and functional reliability, the system should also be as easy as possible to assemble.

Installation must not only be able to be done quickly and easily, it must also and above all be intuitive. Lengthy operating and assembly instructions are out of place in the pipe trench. If special tools are needed for installation it can be difficult to get a new system established on the market. The trend in the field of house connection systems is going towards a major part of the installation being possible without any tools at all. If, in addition, the system comes without parts which can be mislaid - and which are usually hard to find again in the mud and grime of the pipe trench – the system has some great advantages over conventional products.

2 Corrosion-protected bayonet connection with patented anti-twist device

With the new CLICK^® house connection system (Figure 1) a range of reliable connection devices has been developed which are easy and time-saving to assemble and which can be put together in the modular system without tools. The vonRoll CLICK^® is a bayonet connection which consists of a bayonet socket, a bayonet spigot end and a patented anti-twist device.

The anti-twist device is preassembled and automatically stops the bayonet connection when it is turned. There is no need for any further securing elements, which are prone to getting lost in the trench. Sealing is by means of a double O-ring seal which has long since proved its value in the valve industry. All components are fully coated with epoxy resin in accordance with RAL - GZ 662 [1] and can be used in soils of any kind.

3 Easy to assemble and dismantle

During assembly the bayonet spigot end is pushed into the bayonet socket and locked by turning it clockwise until the “CLICK” is heard (Figure 2). The patented anti-twist device secures the connection from unlocking accidentally. Axial rotation of +/– 15° ensures optimum flexibility when aligning the valve in the trench. If it needs to be dismantled, the antitwist protection can be withdrawn slightly at the “PULL” marking while the fitting or valve is simultaneously turned back in the anticlockwise direction to the stop. The fitting or valve can then be removed from the bayonet socket (Figure 3).

4 Specially suitable for difficult installation conditions

Installations with the new CLICK^® range of house connections have aroused a great deal of interest and enthusiasm with clients. This is due above all to their easy and timesaving installation. Once the tapping bridge is mounted on the pipe and tapping has been completed with or without mains pressure, the other components can be fitted very easily without any tools. Because there are no additional small assembly parts which can get lost, the system is also very well suited to difficult installation conditions, for example where there is water and mud in the trench (Figure 4). Plus, during the cold winter months, problem-free assembly is even possible when wearing thick gloves.

5 Consistent application of the connection concept

In the implementation of the CLICK^® concept for the range of tapping valves, attention has been paid to consistent application of the connection principle. So the same connection principle is also used for the connection between the valve body and the upper section. Hence integral corrosion protection is also achieved in the area of the connection of the bonnet, which ensures a very long working life. The bonnet can be released and dismantled effortlessly and without tools. This means that exchanging the closing body or other components can be done quickly and easily. If the valve needs to be tapped, the operation is done quickly and without tools.

The bonnet is unlocked by means of the CLICK^® system (Figure 5) without additional tools and manually removed from the housing. The tapping tool is attached with the same bayonet connection and automatically secured by the twisting motion. After the tapping process the tapping tool can be unlocked and removed. Then the bonnet is simply put back again by hand. However, tapping through the valve is something of an exception because ideally this is done through the tapping bridge. In this case too the tapping tool can be put in place and secured directly by means of the CLICK^® principle. No additional adapters or other aids are needed.

6 Starter range

The range includes three valves which correspond to valve testing standards EN 1074-1 [2] and EN 1074-2 [3]. With the different designs tapping can be done from above (Figure 6) or from the side (Figure 7). An isolating gate valve design is also available (Figure 8). The tapping bridge is offered in two versions: for tapping under mains pressure with an auxiliary shut-off or for pressureless tapping.

The range is completed with two fitting designs: PE plug fitting and PE spigot fitting in each case from DN 25 to DN 50 or dR 32 to dR 63, developed according to the guidelines of DVGW test specification GW 335-B4 [4]. The range of house connections supplements the vonRoll system of valves for drinking water supply. An extension of the range of fittings (Figure 9) is planned according to market requirements.

7 Conclusion

With the new CLICK^® house connection system vonRoll hydro is implementing integral corrosion protection consistently: the area of the bonnet connection has overall protection. The new connection concept is extremely easy to assemble and completely does away with additional, easily-to-lose parts. The functional principle of the connection is so simple and intuitive that no operating or installation instructions are necessary. The range will be continually enhanced.
 

Literatur

[1] RAL - GZ 662: 2008
[2] EN 1074-1: 2000
[3] EN 1074-2: 2000+A1:2004
[4] DVGW test specification GW 335-B4: 2014-04

(First publication in: GUSS-ROHRSYSTEME - Information of the European Association for Ductile Iron Pipe Systems • EADIPS^® )

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