Gas heating stove
By optimizing the hardware architecture of the gas-fired boiler and changing the flow path of the bathroom water, it is first heated through a condenser heat exchanger and then heated a second time with the heating water in the circulation loop. This solves the problem of low heating efficiency of bathroom water and shortens the heating time.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
In existing condensing gas boilers, the low efficiency of water heating in the bathroom leads to long heating times.
By changing the flow path of the bathroom water, it is first heated through a condenser heat exchanger, and then heated a second time through the bathroom heat exchanger and the heating water in the circulation loop. The flow path is controlled by the first and second valves, thus optimizing the hardware architecture.
It improves the heating efficiency of bathroom water and shortens the heating time.
Smart Images

Figure CN223985239U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to hot water boiler technical field especially relates to a gas heating stove. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the existing condensing gas heating stove, the heating water of the water inlet end of the heating pipeline is firstly heated by the condensing heat exchanger, then is secondarily heated by the main heat exchanger, and finally flows to the water outlet end of the heating pipeline. When it is necessary to supply the bathroom water, the heating water is circulated through the main heat exchanger and the bathroom heat exchanger (generally a plate heat exchanger) by controlling the valve body, so that the heating water exchanges heat with the bathroom water through the bathroom heat exchanger to heat the bathroom water to a specified temperature; however, the main heat exchanger needs to heat the heating water to a very high temperature first, and then the heating water enters the bathroom heat exchanger to heat the bathroom water, and at the same time, the bathroom water at the water inlet end of the bathroom pipeline has a low temperature, which results in a low heating efficiency of the bathroom water and a long heating time. SUMMARY
[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a gas heating stove which can effectively solve the technical problem of low heating efficiency of bathroom water and long heating time existing in the prior art.
[0004] The first technical problem is solved by the following technical scheme:
[0005] The gas heating stove comprises a main heat exchanger, a bathroom heat exchanger, a condensing heat exchanger, a heating water inlet pipe, a heating water outlet pipe, a bathroom water inlet pipe, a bathroom water outlet pipe, a first valve and a second valve.
[0006] The bathroom heat exchanger has a bathroom water channel and a heating water channel; the bathroom water inlet pipe is in communication with the water inlet end of the condensing heat exchanger, and the bathroom water outlet pipe is in communication with the bathroom water channel; the water outlet end of the condensing heat exchanger is selectively in communication with the water inlet end of the main heat exchanger and the bathroom water channel through the first valve, and the heating water inlet pipe is selectively in communication with the water inlet end of the main heat exchanger and the water inlet end of the condensing heat exchanger through the second valve.
[0007] The gas heating stove has the beneficial effects compared with the background art:
[0008] When the condensing heat exchanger is communicated with the bathroom heat exchanger through the first valve, the heating water inlet pipe is communicated with the main heat exchanger through the second valve, the bathroom water inlet pipe, the condensing heat exchanger, the first valve, the bathroom water channel and the bathroom water outlet pipe are sequentially communicated, so that the bathroom water in the bathroom water inlet pipe is first heated by the condensing heat exchanger and then enters the bathroom water channel and the heating water in the heating water channel of the bathroom heat exchanger to realize heat exchange and temperature rise, that is, the gas heating stove changes the flow path of the bathroom water by controlling the first valve and the second valve, so that the bathroom water in the bathroom water inlet pipe is heated once by the condensing heat exchanger to preheat the bathroom water with lower temperature, and then the bathroom water is heated twice by the bathroom heat exchanger and the heating water in the circulating loop to realize heat exchange and temperature rise, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the gas heating stove on the bathroom water, that is, the gas heating stove using the above hardware architecture is beneficial to shorten the heating time of the bathroom water.
[0009] In one of the embodiments, the gas heating stove further comprises a third valve, and the water outlet end of the main heat exchanger is selectively communicated with the heating water channel and the heating water outlet pipe through the third valve.
[0010] In one of the embodiments, the first valve, the second valve and the third valve are all three-way valves, each of the three-way valves has one inlet and two outlets, and the inlet is selectively communicated with one of the outlets.
[0011] In one of the embodiments, the condensing heat exchanger is provided with a condensing heat exchange pipe, the water outlet end of the condensing heat exchange pipe is communicated with the inlet of the first valve, and the water inlet end of the condensing heat exchange pipe is communicated with one of the bathroom water inlet pipe or the second valve.
[0012] In one of the embodiments, the main heat exchanger is provided with a main heat exchange pipe, the water outlet end of the main heat exchange pipe is communicated with the inlet of the third valve, and the water inlet end of the main heat exchange pipe is provided with a parallelly connected first branch pipe and a second branch pipe which extend outward, one end of the first branch pipe is communicated with one outlet of the first valve, and one end of the second branch pipe is communicated with the other outlet of the second valve.
[0013] In one of the embodiments, a one-way valve is installed in the bathroom water inlet pipe.
[0014] In one of the embodiments, a circulating pump is installed on the heating water inlet pipe, and the circulating pump is configured to drive the heating water to circulate in the circulating loop after being turned on.
[0015] In one of the embodiments, the gas heating stove further comprises a drain pipe, one end of the drain pipe is communicated with the condensing heat exchanger to drain the condensed water in the condensing heat exchanger.
[0016] In one embodiment, the gas-fired boiler further includes an expansion tank, the inlet and outlet of which are connected to the heating water inlet pipe.
[0017] In one embodiment, a connecting pipe is provided between the inlet end of the heating water inlet pipe and the inlet end of the bathroom water inlet pipe, and a pressure relief valve is provided on the connecting pipe for opening and closing the connecting pipe. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural distribution diagram of the gas-fired boiler for supplying bathroom water provided in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural distribution diagram of a gas-fired heating boiler for supplying heating water, provided in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0020] The component names and labels in the diagram are as follows:
[0021] 1. Main heat exchanger; 110. Main heat exchange tube; 120. First branch pipe; 130. Second branch pipe; 2. Burner; 3. Bathroom heat exchanger; 31. First heat exchange tube; 32. Second heat exchange tube; 4. Condensing heat exchanger; 41. Condensing heat exchange tube; 5. Heating inlet pipe; 6. Heating outlet pipe; 7. Bathroom inlet pipe; 8. Bathroom outlet pipe; 9. Third valve; 10. First valve; 11. Second valve; 12. Check valve; 13. Circulation pump; 14. Drain pipe; 15. Expansion tank; 16. Connecting pipe; 17. Pressure relief valve; 18. Fan; 19. Gas pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To make the technical problem solved by this utility model, the technical solution adopted, and the technical effect achieved clearer, the technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining this utility model and not for limiting it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to this utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings, not all of them.
[0023] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used only for descriptive purposes and have no special meaning.
[0024] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0025] When existing condensing gas boilers supply water to bathrooms, the main heat exchanger needs to heat the heating water to a very high temperature before the heating water enters the bathroom heat exchanger to heat the bathroom water. At the same time, the bathroom water temperature at the inlet end of the bathroom pipe is relatively low, resulting in a long heating time and low heating efficiency.
[0026] To solve the above problems, such as Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment proposes a gas-fired heating boiler, which includes a main heat exchanger 1, a burner 2, a bathroom heat exchanger 3, a condensing heat exchanger 4, a heating water inlet pipe 5, a heating water outlet pipe 6, a bathroom water inlet pipe 7, a bathroom water outlet pipe 8, a first valve 10, and a second valve 11. The bathroom heat exchanger 3 has a bathroom water channel and a heating water channel. The outlet of the main heat exchanger 1 is selectively connected to the heating water outlet pipe 6 and the heating water channel. The bathroom water inlet pipe 7 is connected to the inlet of the condensing heat exchanger 4, and the bathroom water outlet pipe 8 is connected to the bathroom water channel. The outlet of the condensing heat exchanger 4 is selectively connected to the outlet of the main heat exchanger 1 and the bathroom water channel through the first valve 10. The heating water inlet pipe 5 is selectively connected to the outlet of the main heat exchanger 1 and the outlet of the condensing heat exchanger 4 through the second valve 11. When the condensing heat exchanger 4 is connected to the bathroom water channel through the first valve 10, the heating water inlet pipe 5 is connected to the main heat exchanger 1 through the second valve 11. The bathroom water inlet pipe 7, condensing heat exchanger 4, first valve 10, bathroom water channel, and bathroom water outlet pipe 8 are connected along the water flow direction (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (As indicated by the arrows) are connected sequentially, and the heating inlet pipe 5, the second valve 11, the main heat exchanger 1, and the heating water channel form a circulation loop. When the condensing heat exchanger 4 is connected to the main heat exchanger 1 through the first valve 10, the heating inlet pipe 5 is connected to the condensing heat exchanger 4 through the second valve 11. The heating inlet pipe 5, the second valve 11, the condensing heat exchanger 4, the first valve 10, the main heat exchanger 1, and the heating outlet pipe 6 are connected along the water flow direction (e.g., as indicated by the arrows). Figure 2 (As indicated by the arrows) are connected sequentially. When the condensing heat exchanger 4 is connected to the bathroom water channel through the first valve 10, the heating water inlet pipe 5 is connected to the main heat exchanger 1 through the second valve 11. The bathroom water inlet pipe 7, condensing heat exchanger 4, first valve 10, bathroom water channel and bathroom water outlet pipe 8 are connected sequentially, so that the bathroom water in the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 first passes through the condensing heat exchanger 4 and then enters the bathroom water channel of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 to exchange heat with the heating water in the heating water channel to achieve heat exchange and temperature rise. That is, by controlling the first valve 10 and the second valve 11, the flow path of the bathroom water is changed, so that the bathroom water in the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 is heated once through the condensing heat exchanger 4 to preheat the bathroom water at a lower temperature, and then exchanges heat with the heating water in the circulation loop through the bathroom heat exchanger 3 to achieve heat exchange and temperature rise, so as to achieve secondary heating of the bathroom water. This improves the heating efficiency of the gas boiler for bathroom water. That is, the gas boiler using the above hardware architecture is conducive to shortening the heating time of bathroom water.
[0027] It should be noted that the improvement in this application lies in the hardware architecture of the gas-fired boiler itself, rather than the working coordination control logic of the first valve 10 and the second valve 11. That is, the application of the hardware architecture of the gas-fired boiler with the first valve 10 and the second valve 11 is beneficial to shorten the heating time of the bathroom water and improve the heating efficiency of the gas-fired boiler for the bathroom water.
[0028] Specifically, the gas-fired boiler also includes a fan 18 and a gas pipe 19. One end of the gas pipe 19 is connected to an external gas supply pipeline, and the other end of the gas pipe 19 supplies gas to the burner 2, causing the burner 2 to burn and generate high-temperature flue gas. This high-temperature flue gas exchanges heat with heating water as it passes through the main heat exchanger 1. After passing through the main heat exchanger 1, the flue gas flows to the condensing heat exchanger 4 under the action of the fan 18, allowing the condensing heat exchanger 4 to recover the waste heat from the flue gas. The top of the gas-fired boiler has an air outlet. Flue gas is discharged outside the boiler through the air outlet, while outside air enters the boiler through the air outlet and supplies gas to the burner 2, ensuring complete combustion of the gas. Furthermore, the gas-fired boiler also includes a drain pipe 14. One end of the drain pipe 14 is connected to the condensing heat exchanger 4 to drain condensate from the condensing heat exchanger 4, preventing condensate from dripping into the boiler and corroding or damaging components inside the boiler, thus improving the safety of the gas-fired boiler.
[0029] In this embodiment, a circulation pump 13 is installed on the heating water inlet pipe 5. After the circulation pump 13 is turned on, it drives the heating water to circulate in the circulation loop. By setting up the circulation pump 13, the heating water in the circulation loop circulates and increases in temperature by repeatedly passing through the main heat exchanger 1 and exchanging heat with the bathroom water at the bathroom heat exchanger 3, thereby achieving the heating of the bathroom water.
[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gas-fired boiler also includes a third valve 9. The outlet of the main heat exchanger 1 is selectively connected to the heating water channel and heating outlet pipe 6 of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 via the third valve 9. When the condensing heat exchanger 4 is connected to the bathroom water channel of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 via the first valve 10, the outlet of the main heat exchanger 1 is connected to the heating water channel of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 via the third valve 9. When the outlet of the condensing heat exchanger 4 is connected to the main heat exchanger 1 via the first valve 10, the outlet of the main heat exchanger 1 is connected to the heating outlet pipe 6 via the third valve 9. In bathroom mode, the main heat exchanger 1 is connected to the bathroom heat exchanger 3 via the third valve 9; in heating mode, the main heat exchanger 1 is connected to the heating outlet pipe 6 via the third valve 9. Specifically, the gas-fired boiler has a heating mode and a bathroom mode. In heating mode, the bathroom inlet pipe 7 stops supplying water, and in bathroom mode, the bathroom inlet pipe 7 supplies water. When no water supply for bathing is required, the gas-fired boiler provides normal heating water (i.e., heating mode), along with... Figure 2 As indicated by the middle arrow, heating water from the external heating pipes enters the heating inlet pipe 5, then sequentially passes through the second valve 11, the condenser heat exchanger 4, the first valve 10, the main heat exchanger 1, the third valve 9, and the heating outlet pipe 6, finally flowing back into the external heating pipes. The heating water undergoes primary heating in the condenser heat exchanger 4 and secondary heating in the main heat exchanger 1, improving the heating efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of the gas-fired boiler.
[0031] In this embodiment, the first valve 10, the second valve 11, and the third valve 9 are all three-way valves, each with one inlet and two outlets, the inlet selectively connected to one of the outlets. Specifically, the third valve 9 has interfaces 1a, 1b, and 1c; the first valve 10 has interfaces 2a, 2b, and 2c; and the second valve 11 has interfaces 3a, 3b, and 3c. Interfaces 1a, 2a, and 3a are inlets, while interfaces 1b, 1c, 2b, 2c, 3b, and 3c are outlets. Since all three valves are three-way valves, the number of valve bodies required in the gas-fired boiler is reduced, simplifying the valve installation workload. In other embodiments, the third valve 9, the first valve 10, and the second valve 11 can also be two-way valves, and each of these valves can be installed in pairs, with two two-way valves installed at the location of each three-way valve, thus achieving the on / off switching of the corresponding pipeline.
[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a condensing heat exchanger 4 contains a condensing heat exchange tube 41. The outlet end of the condensing heat exchange tube 41 is connected to the inlet of the first valve 10, and the inlet end of the condensing heat exchange tube 41 is connected to either the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 or one outlet of the second valve 11. The internal structure of the condensing heat exchanger 4 is a single-channel structure, meaning that only one condensing heat exchange tube 41 is installed. One end of the condensing heat exchange tube 41 is connected to the 2a interface (i.e., the inlet of the first valve 10), and the other end of the condensing heat exchange tube 41 is connected to either the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 or the 3b interface of the second valve 11. By controlling the opening and closing of different interfaces of the first valve 10 and the second valve 11, when bathroom water needs to be supplied, the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 is connected to the condensing heat exchange pipe 41; when bathroom water does not need to be supplied, the heating water inlet pipe 5 is connected to the condensing heat exchange pipe 41, so that the heating water inlet pipe 5 and the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 can selectively connect to the condensing heat exchange pipe 41, so that the heating water inlet pipe 5 and the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 can share the same condensing heat exchange pipe 41, which simplifies the structure of the condensing heat exchanger 4 and optimizes the pipe distribution inside the gas heating boiler.
[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the main heat exchanger 1 is equipped with a main heat exchange tube 110. The outlet end of the main heat exchange tube 110 is connected to the inlet of the third valve 9 (i.e., port 1a of the third valve 9). Extending outwards from the inlet end of the main heat exchange tube 110 are a first branch pipe 120 and a second branch pipe 130 connected in parallel. One end of the first branch pipe 120 is connected to one outlet of the first valve 10 (i.e., port 2b of the first valve 10), and one end of the second branch pipe 130 is connected to the other outlet of the second valve 11 (i.e., port 3c of the second valve 11). By providing two branch pipes, one end of the main heat exchange tube 110 is connected to port 2b of the first valve 10 and port 3c of the second valve 11, respectively.
[0034] Specifically, the bathroom heat exchanger 3 is equipped with a first heat exchange tube 31 and a second heat exchange tube 32. The first heat exchange tube 31 forms a heating water channel, and the second heat exchange tube 32 forms a bathroom water channel. One end of the first heat exchange tube 31 extending out of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 is connected to the 1b interface of the third valve 9, and the other end of the first heat exchange tube 31 extending out of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 is connected to the heating inlet pipe 5. One end of the second heat exchange tube 32 extending out of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 is connected to the bathroom outlet pipe 8, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube 32 extending out of the bathroom heat exchanger 3 is connected to the 2c interface of the first valve 10. Figure 1 As shown, when bathroom water is needed (i.e., bathroom mode), the 2a and 2c ports of the first valve 10 are connected, and the 2b port is closed. The bathroom inlet pipe 7, condenser heat exchange pipe 41, second heat exchange pipe 32, and bathroom outlet pipe 8 are connected sequentially. Simultaneously, the 3a and 3c ports of the second valve 11 are connected, and the 3b port is closed. The 1a and 1b ports of the third valve 9 are connected, and the 1c port is closed. This connects the heating inlet pipe 5, the second branch pipe 130, the main heat exchange pipe 110, and the first heat exchange pipe 31 to form a circulation loop. This allows the heating water in the circulation loop to exchange heat with the bathroom water in the second heat exchange pipe 32 when it passes through the first heat exchange pipe 31. Figure 2 As shown, when no water supply is needed for the bathroom, the bathroom inlet pipe 7 stops supplying water, the 3a and 3b interfaces of the second valve 11 are connected, and the 3c interface is closed. The 2a and 2b interfaces of the first valve 10 are connected, and the 2c interface is closed. The 1a and 1c interfaces of the third valve 9 are connected, and the 1b interface is closed. The heating inlet pipe 5, the condensing heat exchange pipe 41, the first branch pipe 120, the main heat exchange pipe 110, and the heating outlet pipe 6 are connected in sequence to supply heating water.
[0035] It should be noted that a one-way valve 12 is installed inside the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 to ensure unidirectional water flow within the pipe. When water enters the bathroom water inlet pipe 7, the bathroom water flows to the condenser heat exchange pipe 41 through the one-way valve 12. When the water supply to the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 is stopped and the heating water inlet pipe 5 enters, the 3a and 3b ports of the second valve 11 are connected, while the 3c port is closed. The one-way valve 12 prevents the heating water in the heating water inlet pipe 5 from entering the bathroom water inlet pipe 7, thus avoiding contamination of the bathroom water and ensuring its cleanliness.
[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gas-fired boiler also includes an expansion tank 15, the inlet and outlet of which are connected to the heating water inlet pipe 5. When the heating water temperature rises, its volume increases relatively, and the expansion tank 15 is used to store the excess heating water after the volume increases.
[0037] It should be noted that a connecting pipe 16 is installed between the inlet end of the heating water inlet pipe 5 and the inlet end of the bathroom water inlet pipe 7. A pressure relief valve 17 is installed on the connecting pipe 16, which is used to open and close the connecting pipe 16. When the water pressure in the heating water inlet pipe 5 and the bathroom water inlet pipe 7 exceeds the set value, the pressure relief valve 17 is opened, allowing the heating water or bathroom water to be discharged from the pressure relief valve 17, thus ensuring that the water pressure in the heating pipe and the bathroom pipe remains stable.
[0038] The above embodiments merely illustrate the basic principles and characteristics of this utility model. This utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. Gas-fired heating stove, characterized in that The gas heating stove comprises a main heat exchanger (1), a bathroom heat exchanger (3), a condensation heat exchanger (4), a heating water inlet pipe (5), a heating water outlet pipe (6), a bathroom water inlet pipe (7), a bathroom water outlet pipe (8), a first valve (10) and a second valve (11). The bathroom heat exchanger (3) has a bathroom water passage and a heating water passage; the bathroom water inlet pipe (7) is in communication with a water inlet end of the condensation heat exchanger (4), and the bathroom water outlet pipe (8) is in communication with the bathroom water passage; a water outlet end of the condensation heat exchanger (4) is selectively in communication with a water inlet end of the main heat exchanger (1) and the bathroom water passage through the first valve (10), and the heating water inlet pipe (5) is selectively in communication with the water inlet end of the main heat exchanger (1) and the water inlet end of the condensation heat exchanger (4) through the second valve (11).
2. The gas-fired heating stove according to claim 1, characterized in that The gas heating stove further comprises a third valve (9), and a water outlet end of the main heat exchanger (1) is selectively in communication with the heating water passage and the heating water outlet pipe (6) through the third valve (9).
3. The gas-fired heating stove according to claim 2, characterized in that The first valve (10), the second valve (11) and the third valve (9) are all three-way valves, and each of the three-way valves has one inlet and two outlets, and the inlet is selectively in communication with one of the outlets.
4. The gas-fired heating stove according to claim 3, characterized in that The condensation heat exchanger (4) is provided with a condensation heat exchange pipe (41), a water outlet end of the condensation heat exchange pipe (41) is in communication with the inlet of the first valve (10), and a water inlet end of the condensation heat exchange pipe (41) is in communication with one of the outlets of the second valve (11) or the bathroom water inlet pipe (7).
5. The gas-fired heating stove according to claim 4, characterized in that The main heat exchanger (1) is provided with a main heat exchange pipe (110), a water outlet end of the main heat exchange pipe (110) is in communication with the inlet of the third valve (9), and a water inlet end of the main heat exchange pipe (110) is provided with a first branch pipe (120) and a second branch pipe (130) which are connected in parallel and extend outward, one end of the first branch pipe (120) is in communication with one of the outlets of the first valve (10), and one end of the second branch pipe (130) is in communication with the other outlet of the second valve (11).
6. The gas-fired heating stove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The bathroom water inlet pipe (7) is provided with a one-way valve (12).
7. The gas-fired heating stove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The heating water inlet pipe (5) is provided with a circulating pump (13), the heating water inlet pipe (5), the second valve (11), the main heat exchanger (1) and the heating water passage form a circulating loop, and the circulating pump (13) is configured to drive the heating water to flow in the circulating loop after being turned on.
8. The gas-fired heating stove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The gas heating stove further comprises a drain pipe (14), one end of the drain pipe (14) is in communication with the condensation heat exchanger (4) to drain the condensed water in the condensation heat exchanger (4).
9. The gas-fired heating stove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The gas heating stove further comprises an expansion water tank (15), and an inlet and an outlet of the expansion water tank (15) are in communication with the heating water inlet pipe (5).
10. The gas-fired heating stove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that A communication pipe (16) is arranged between a water inlet end of the heating water inlet pipe (5) and a water inlet end of the bathroom water inlet pipe (7), a pressure relief valve (17) is arranged on the communication pipe (16), and the pressure relief valve (17) is used to open and close the communication pipe (16).