What a battery-powered Mayevsky faucet looks like and works. Why is it needed in every home with heating?

No matter how much I would like it, the warm weather is rapidly leaving our region, and with it the greatness of the heating season begins. Together with him, I suddenly had a thought – everyone has heard the term “Maevsky’s crane,” but does everyone know who this Mayevsky is?

Sit comfortably in your warm radiators, now I won’t say much, but I’ll tell you everything.

The Mayevsky crane was developed by another person

Surprisingly, a device was invented, known today as the “Maevsky tap”. a simple plumber from Minsk named Roev in 1931. His invention consists of two parts with a gasket between them. Already in the heating season of 1932, the crane carried out successful tests and became widespread.

Two years later, Leningrad engineer Cheslav Bronislavovich Mayevsky modified the light, strengthening the sealing. If the Roev crane consists of two parts separated by a gasket, then Mayevsky’s designs were connected according to the “cone to cone” principle. Nothing more is known about the engineer himself; there is not even a single photograph on the Internet.

On Soviet batteries, Mayevsky’s crane usually looked like this.

Actually, the official name of the Mayevsky crane, which is indicated in GOSTs and SNiPs, is valve-radiator air needle type STD 7073V.

But in the end, the term, which had already been designated more than once, became entrenched among the people.

Why is it needed at all and how to use it

Here’s what you can say if you don’t let the air out. Water hammer is a terrible thing.

Mayevsky’s crane is the name that was popularly given to manual air vent installed on heating radiators. Its purpose was to remove air from the system, which helped ensure coolant circulation and uniform heating of all sections.

To demonstrate the Mayewski valve, ball valves were used to solve this problem. However, some residents could supply hot water for their needs through these taps, which created serious problems for the boiler room, since the amount of heated coolant was constantly decreasing.

If the heating system is filled with air, this can lead to leaks.

The key reason for the Mayevsky tap is that it is impossible to drain large amounts of water through it. The outlet of the faucet is so small that only air and a small amount of water in the form of drops or splashes can pass through it.

If you notice that the radiator has become worse at heating and the room has become cooler, this may be the first sign that air has appeared in the heating system. To get rid of it, use the Mayevsky crane.

The Mayevsky valve consists of a metal body, which contains a conical screw with a turnkey head, inlet and outlet openings for air, as well as a rotating part.

This tap is usually installed at the top of radiators (where there are water hammer barriers), heated towel rails and underfloor heating manifolds. You will need a screwdriver or a special wrench to release the air. Use them to unscrew the tap screw. As a result, a small hole will open through which air will escape with a characteristic hiss.

During the deflation process, water may leak out, so prepare a container or rag in advance. When the air is completely released and the water line is free of thorns and bubbles, you can tighten the screw back. Typically two or three turns are required for complete ventilation.

There are both manual and automatic

There are two main types of Mayevsky cranes: mechanical and automatic.

📍The mechanical faucet is designed for systems with water circulation and has a simple design. It is a shut-off valve that is driven by a rotating mechanism installed in the housing.

Sectional view of a mechanical faucet. Without turning it on, it is impossible to use it.

📍Mayevsky’s automatic tap is used in average heating of periodic cycles (often), where there is the possibility of insertion in a vertical position. The principle of its operation is as follows: in normal condition, the needle valve closes the air outlet hole, held by a raised float in the chamber.

Automatic crane in section.

As the amount of air in the system increases, the float is activated, opening the valve slightly, and then returns to its original position.

A short story about a big discovery

And that’s all I have. Yes, there is a fairly simple story behind such a simple method, but with a little raft-twist. Take care of your heating systems, don’t freeze and don’t lose the key to the Mayevsky tap.

I am voicing this thought to you. Have a good day!