Geyser

THIS invention relates to geysers for heating water in domestic or industrial applications. More specifically, the invention relates to a geyser which is designed to contain heated water in the event of a failure of the geyser. The invention also relates to a kit for forming the geyser, and to a method of manufacturing the geyser.

Conventional geysers for heating water can fail by developing leaks or by bursting unexpectedly. In such an event, the water expelled from the geyser may cause extensive damage. It is thus desirable to have a mechanism for containing water expelled from a failed geyser.

A known method for containing such water is to provide a tray or the like below the geyser. The tray may be connected to a conduit for directing water away from the geyser to a desired location. Although this method generally is effective in containing water discharged directly into the tray, it is not always effective in containing water or steam expelled from the geyser under pressure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a geyser which includes a mechanism for containing water and steam expelled under pressure upon failure of the geyser.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided 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.

Ideally, the primary chamber is connected to a vent pipe via a pressure release mechanism, and the secondary chamber is connected to a vent pipe, possibly via a pressure release mechanism.

In one arrangement, the central section includes engaging formations which are engaged with corresponding engaging formations on the first and second end sections. For example, the central section may include female engaging formations at each of two opposed ends thereof, and the first and second end sections may include male engaging formations which are engaged with the female engaging formations on the central section. The connection between the central section of the geyser and each of the first and second end sections may include a seal which may be formed, for example, from an elastomeric material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central section includes a plurality of modular components which are connected to one another. Each modular component may include an engaging formation which is engaged with a corresponding engaging formation on an adjacent modular component. By way of example, the modular components may 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. Each connection between adjacent modular components may include a seal, such as an elastomeric seal.

In one form of the invention, the end sections each define a male engaging formation. In this case, the central section may include 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 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.

Alternatively, the end sections may each define a female engaging formation, in which case the central section may include 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 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.