CH715111A2 - Valve actuator. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (30) for actuating a heat exchanger valve (20), which can either be mounted between a conventional thermostatic head (1) and the heat exchanger valve (20) or can be integrated directly into a conventional thermostatic head. The device (30) comprises a housing (31) as well as an input plunger (32) and an output plunger (33). In heating mode, the input plunger (32) transmits the downward movement of the thermostatic head plunger (3) to the output plunger (33) and this further transmits it to the valve pin (23) for the known actuation of the valve (20) in heating mode. The device (3) now also includes a switchover device with which the input plunger (32) can be decoupled from the output plunger (33) for cooling operation, so that the downward movement of the thermostatic head tappet (3) is no longer transmitted to the valve pin (23).

Description

description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a device for actuating a valve of a heat exchanger for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through the heat exchanger, the device producing first fastening means for fastening the device to the heat exchanger and coupling means for coupling a volume change of an expansion element caused by a temperature change Movement of a transmission element with the valve comprises, the coupling means comprising a valve actuation element for opening or closing the valve by moving the valve actuation element in an actuation direction and the valve can be actuated by means of the valve actuation element in a device fastened to the heat exchanger by means of the first fastening means,

PRIOR ART People like to live in rooms which have a temperature corresponding to the activities carried out therein. In many cases, however, a temperature other than the desired one arises due to various factors, for example because the temperature of the environment is higher or lower than the target temperature, because the room itself has heat sources or heat sinks or because the temperature changes due to other heat inflow or -Loss changes. In order to avoid such undesirable temperature changes and to bring a room to the desired temperature, rooms are often heated or cooled, the heating or cooling system often being able to set a desired target temperature. The room is then heated or cooled until the target temperature is reached. If the target temperature has been reached, this is maintained if possible by further cooling or heating the room as required. The corresponding control systems are designed such that the target temperature under normal circumstances, i.e. can be readjusted correctly if the temperature changes are not too rapid and large.

One possibility for heating rooms are central heating systems in which a heating liquid, for example water, is heated and passed through heat exchangers in the rooms to be heated. The heating takes place, for example, in a boiler and, for example, radiators on the wall or in the floor of the room to be heated serve as heat exchangers. The heat energy of the heating fluid is released into the room air in the heat exchanger. This heats the room air and therefore the room accordingly. The heating fluid flows from the heat exchanger in a closed circuit back to the boiler. Then the cycle begins again. How the heating liquid is centrally heated is in principle irrelevant. Heat pumps, solar systems or other options for heating a liquid can also be used for this.

To control the heating power such systems typically include a valve in the inflow or outflow of the heating fluid to or from the heat exchanger and a thermostatic head which is placed on the valve and which opens or opens the valve depending on the prevailing room temperature and the set target temperature closes. Such valves include a spring so that a valve at rest, i.e. is open without force in the direction of the valve, for example without an attached thermostatic head. If a thermostatic head is attached and the room temperature during heating is lower than the set temperature set on the thermostatic head, the valve remains open (at least partially). If the room temperature rises, the valve is closed more and more until it is completely closed when the room temperature reaches the target temperature or even exceeds it. For the correct closing or opening of the valve, such a thermostatic head comprises an expansion element, for example a certain volume of liquid or a solid, which expands under the influence of heat. Due to the expansion of the expansion element, a plunger is moved in the direction of the valve and in this way the valve is completely or partially closed. If the temperature in the vicinity of the thermostatic head drops, the temperature of the expansion element also drops and this consequently contracts again. As a result, the plunger moves away from the valve and releases it, so that the valve opens more and more thanks to the spring.

Similar systems are known for cooling rooms. For cooling, a cooling liquid is cooled to a certain temperature, which is typically lower than the temperature of the room to be cooled, and passed through the heat exchanger. This removes thermal energy from the room air and supplies it to the coolant. The valves are opened or closed again with thermostatic heads, which comprise an expansion element that expands when the temperature rises. This in turn moves a plunger in the direction of the valve. In this case, however, the valves in the inflows and outflows of the heat exchangers are designed such that they are closed in the rest position. That pressing the tappet on the valve opens it so that the valve opens when the room temperature rises and more coolant can flow through the heat exchanger to cool the room.

So-called air conditioning systems are also known for cooling rooms. In such systems, a compressed and cooled, liquid refrigerant is evaporated in an evaporator, the evaporation energy being taken from the surroundings and the surroundings being cooled in this way.

However, all these systems have the disadvantage that they can only be used for heating or only for cooling. If a room is to be cooled at a first point in time and heated at another point in time, two different systems, i.e. a cooling and heating system can be installed. This is not only complex, but also expensive to purchase and maintain. It would be just as complex and expensive to replace the valve of a heat exchanger that is designed for heating operation with a valve that is designed for cooling operation. A cooling liquid for cooling the room could be passed through an existing heat exchanger of a heating system. However, the thermostat valve of the heat exchanger would be closed if the temperature rose, which would reduce the flow of coolant instead of increasing it. This also applies accordingly to cooling systems in which the valve on the heat exchanger is opened when the temperature rises.

In a further known system, the thermostatic valves comprise electrically actuatable actuators, so that they can be opened or closed by suitable, typically electrical, control signals. In such systems, a sensor that can be positioned anywhere in a room measures the room temperature and passes it on to a central controller. This determines from the measured actual temperature and the set target temperature whether heating is to be carried out or not and sends a corresponding control signal to the valve. Appropriate programming of the central control or thermostatic valves enables heating and cooling operation with this system, but considerable effort is required to enable communication between the sensor, the central control unit and the valve or valves , It is therefore not only necessary to install wired, radio-based or other communication links between these elements, the individual elements must also be supplied with power in order to be able to fulfill their specific function. Such systems are extremely complex and expensive.

[0009] So-called thermoactive component systems are also known. These use the building mass as an energy store. The heat stored in the building during the day is dissipated at night. For this to work, however, the building mass must be equipped with pipelines so that the heat can be transferred to a coolant and dissipated in this way. These systems are correspondingly complex. In addition, it is hardly possible to convert older buildings to such a system. Further disadvantages of such systems are that their control range is relatively severely limited and that their performance is limited.

Furthermore, a thermostatic head is known from EP 1 719 938 A1, which can be switched from a regulated heating mode to a regulated cooling mode. For this purpose, it includes switching means with which the movement generated by a change in volume of an expansion material for actuating a radiator valve can be reversed. In heating mode, the increase in volume of the expansion material due to an increase in temperature is converted into a movement of a valve actuating element for closing the radiator valve. Conversely, the valve is opened when the volume is reduced. The switching means are switched over for cooling operation, so that an increase in the volume of the expansion material leads to an opening and a decrease in volume leads to a closing of the valve.

However, the switching means are mechanically complex to carry out and appropriately trained thermostatic heads are expensive. Furthermore, such heating systems with a central heating and several decentralized radiators are more likely to be found in those regions of the world in which the heating period is typically significantly longer than a possible cooling period. Accordingly, a control function in cooling operation is usually unnecessary and such thermostatic heads would be oversized or too expensive for such limited use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a valve actuating device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which can be used both for heating operation and for cooling operation, but which is technically simple and consequently inexpensive to implement.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the device comprises a switching device for the movement decoupling of the valve actuating element of a device fastened to the heat exchanger by means of the first fastening means.

In a system designed for heating, the valve of the heat exchanger is at rest, i.e. Typically opened without force in the direction of the valve, for example without an attached thermostatic head. If a device according to the invention is now fastened to such a heat exchanger or its valve by means of the first fastening means, it can now be put into heating mode by means of the switching device, in which the valve actuating element of the coupling means is coupled in terms of movement to the transmission element and the valve is thus dependent the temperature of the expansion element is actuated. Or the device can be put into cooling operation by switching the switching means so that the valve actuation element of the coupling means is decoupled in terms of movement from the transmission element, and thus a movement of the transmission element depending on the temperature of the expansion element no longer results in a movement of the valve actuation element for opening or closing of the valve is implemented.

The device or the coupling means are referred to below as activated when the valve actuating element is coupled in terms of movement to the transmission element and they are or are referred to as deactivated when the valve actuating element is decoupled in terms of movement from the transmission element.

That is, the device works in such a heating system in the heating mode as an ordinary thermostatic head, in which the temperature of the room is controlled by the heat exchanger by closing the valve by the volume change of the expansion material as the temperature rises and opening as the temperature falls. In cooling mode, on the other hand, the valve is decoupled from the expansion material, so that the valve simply remains open and coolant can flow unhindered through the heat exchanger. Here, however, the cooling operation is not regulated because the valve is decoupled from the expansion element.

The inventive device can of course also be used in a system designed for cooling, in which the heat sink valve is typically closed in the rest position. When the switchover means are activated, the device is in controlled cooling mode, since volume changes in the expansion material due to temperature changes are implemented in such a way that the valve is opened as the temperature of the expansion material increases and consequently more coolant can flow through the heat exchanger. If the temperature of the expansion material drops, the valve closes accordingly and less coolant flows through the heat exchanger. The switching means are deactivated for the heating operation of such a cooling system, so that the expansion material is in turn decoupled from the valve. Accordingly, the valve remains closed and the room with the heat sink is no longer cooled as the temperature rises. With such a cooling system, the heating operation is uncontrolled.

Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, a heating system is assumed below, i.e. of a system with a heat exchanger valve that is open in the rest position and in which the device according to the invention for actuating the heat exchanger valve is attached to the heat exchanger, so that the valve, when the switching means are activated, closes when the temperature rises and opens when the temperature drops.

[0019] The invention can be implemented with simple means. In particular, the deactivation of the coupling between the expansion material and the valve is much easier to implement than the reversal of the control function according to EP 1 719 938 A1 mentioned at the beginning.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for simple and inexpensive retrofitting of existing heating systems, so that cooling operation is now also possible with an existing heating system. Although it is an uncontrolled cooling operation, this is not a major restriction in the areas mentioned above with a shorter cooling period than a heating period. For retrofitting, the device according to the invention is designed as an intermediate piece in a separate housing which is mounted between the heat exchanger and the existing thermostatic head. In this case, the expansion material together with the transmission element is located in a known manner in the existing thermostatic head, and with the attachment of the device according to the invention to the thermostatic head, the coupling means of the device are coupled in terms of movement to the transmission element in such a way that the valve actuating element, when the switching means are activated, is in a movement for opening or opening Closing the heat exchanger valve is moved. This embodiment of the invention is also simply referred to below as an intermediate piece.

The inventive device is also suitable for integration into an existing thermostatic head. That a known thermostatic head with expansion material and transmission element is correspondingly supplemented with coupling means including valve actuating element and switching means and housed in a single housing, which is then placed on the valve of the heat exchanger. This embodiment of the invention is also referred to below as an integrated embodiment.

The transmission element is typically a pin-shaped element. In the case of a known thermostatic head, in the context of this invention that element is referred to as a transmission element which actuates the valve pin of the valve when it is mounted directly on the radiator valve. If a device according to the invention is now installed as an intermediate piece between such a thermostatic head and the valve, this transmission element no longer actuates the valve pin directly but rather actuates the coupling means accordingly, which then actuates or actuates the valve pin of the valve depending on the activation or deactivation of the switching means is decoupled.

As already mentioned, the device according to the invention can be used for a cooling operation in which the movement of the transmission element generated by a volume increase of the expansion element by the coupling means into a movement for opening the valve or the movement of the transmission element generated by a volume reduction of the expansion element is converted by the coupling means into a movement to close the valve.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the coupling means are designed for heating operation in such a way that when the volume of the expansion element is reduced due to a temperature drop, a movement of the valve actuating element for opening the valve can be generated and that when the volume of the expansion element increases as a result of a temperature rise, a movement occurs of the valve actuating element can be generated for closing the valve.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching device comprises switching means which can be brought into a coupling configuration and a decoupling configuration. The switching means are coupled to the coupling means in such a way that the coupling means in the coupling configuration of the switching means are coupled in terms of movement to the valve and that the coupling means in the decoupling configuration of the switching means are decoupled in terms of movement from the valve. That the switching means can, for example, be brought into different positions or can be manipulated in such a way that they can be brought into different positions or orientations.

The coupling of the switching means to the coupling means is in particular a mechanical coupling, with magnetic coupling also being possible in principle. Mechanical couplings can, however, be produced reliably and efficiently with the simplest of means.

[0027] The switching means can preferably be brought from the coupling configuration to the decoupling configuration or vice versa by changing the position and / or position. Whereby, for example, a certain change in position and / or position is necessary for switching from the coupling configuration to the decoupling configuration, and the reverse change in position and / or position is necessary for switching from the decoupling configuration to the coupling configuration.

The switching means preferably include an adjusting element for switching the switching means from the coupling configuration to the decoupling configuration and vice versa. The adjustment element can in particular be actuated manually, so that the switching device can be switched manually by a user from heating to cooling operation or vice versa if required. Of course, the adjusting element can also be actuated automatically by means of a corresponding mechanism, so that the switching device can be switched automatically depending on the time, the season, the sunshine, the room or outside temperature or any other criterion.

The adjustment element comprises, for example, a button, a lever, a ring, a switch or the like for switching the switching device.

Such a change in position and / or position of the switching means includes, for example, purely translational movements in one or more directions, but also any rotations or rotations about internal or external axes or pivot points. In this case, several such changes in position and / or position can also be carried out to switch the switching device. However, the switchover should be as simple as possible and therefore preferably by a single change of position or position.

Accordingly, the switching means can preferably be brought from the coupling configuration to the decoupling configuration and vice versa by at least, preferably exactly one of the following types of actuation of the adjusting element:

- by a translational displacement of the adjusting element,

- by rotating the adjustment element,

- by rotating the adjusting element.

These types of actuation can be carried out independently of one another, they can be carried out individually or in any combination simultaneously or in succession.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means comprise a plunger which can be coupled or is coupled to the transmission element and which comprises the valve actuating element. In one embodiment of the invention as an intermediate piece, the plunger is not coupled to the transmission element in the unmounted state of the intermediate piece, but rather is only designed to be able to be coupled accordingly, the coupling being effected with the transmission element when the intermediate piece is attached to a corresponding thermostatic head. However, if the device according to the invention is accommodated in the same housing with a thermostatic head, the tappet and the transmission element are typically already coupled.

Since there is only one plunger, which is typically actuated at one end by the transmission element and which, at the same time, typically at the other end of the plunger, comprises the valve actuating element, the switching device is designed such that it decouples the plunger in terms of movement directly from the valve , That the switching means are designed such that the plunger can no longer interact with the valve pin of the radiator valve on which the device is mounted.

The plunger is typically a pin-shaped, for example an elongated, cylindrical component which is displaced along its longitudinal axis when the expansion element is changed in volume by the transmission element, in particular by corresponding compressive or tensile force. The pestle can of course also have a different shape. It should be noted here that the plunger is generally only actuated by a pressure force exerted by the transmission element. If the transmission element moves back, i.e. away from the plunger, the plunger is typically not withdrawn from the transmission element, but is moved back by a correspondingly positioned and preloaded spring when the transmission element releases the plunger. Incidentally, this also applies to the transmission element itself and all elements referred to as tappets in the context of this invention.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means comprise a first plunger and a second plunger that can be coupled in terms of movement with the first plunger. The first plunger can be coupled or coupled to the transmission element and the second plunger comprises the valve actuation element. The switching device is then designed to decouple the movement of the first plunger from the second plunger.

That the second tappet is in contact with the valve pin even after its decoupling, but since the first tappet can no longer interact with the second tappet after decoupling, the valve is also decoupled from the transmission element and thus from the expansion element.

The embodiment of the invention as an intermediate piece is fundamentally preferred, since existing heating systems can be easily and inexpensively retrofitted. That In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises second fastening means for fastening the device to a control device comprising the expansion element and the transmission element. As previously described, this control device can be a commercially available thermostatic head, but it can also be any type of controller for actuating a heat exchanger valve. The coupling means are designed such that they are coupled in terms of movement to the transmission element in the case of a device fastened to the control device by means of these second fastening means.

Since such an adapter is typically placed on a heat exchanger valve on which an existing thermostatic head was previously placed, the first fastening device typically corresponds to that part of the existing thermostatic head with which it is fastened on the valve. And accordingly the second fastening device of the intermediate piece typically corresponds to the fastening device on the heat exchanger, so that the thermostatic head can be fastened on the intermediate piece instead of on the heat exchanger.

There are various known types of connection of thermostatic heads to heat exchangers, each manufacturer of thermostatic heads or heat exchanger valves has typically developed a proprietary type of connection. Screw connections are often used, but there are also snap, click or other types of connection, so that the first or second fastening device of the intermediate piece is appropriately designed.

The same naturally also applies to the first fastening device in the integrated embodiment.

Basically, the coupling means can be implemented as desired, for example also by pneumatic or electrical or electromechanical means. However, an air pressure or energy source would be necessary to drive such systems. For the sake of simplicity, the coupling means therefore preferably comprise a hydraulic or a mechanical transmission. Such gears can be realized with simple means and inexpensively. In the context of this invention, the term gear should be understood to mean any mechanical or even hydraulic systems for converting a first movement variable into a second movement variable, the first movement variable in the present case the typically translatory movement of the transmission element and the first movement variable in the present case a typically also translatory movement of the valve actuation element to operate the valve.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means comprise a purely mechanical transmission, which has, for example, a lever mechanism and / or a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0043] The integrated embodiment is also a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is particularly suitable for new installations. In such an embodiment, as already mentioned above, the device comprises the expansion element and the transmission element.

The integrated embodiment typically also comprises further elements. For example, it preferably also includes means for setting a target temperature, such as an adjusting spring, and adjusting means such as, for example, a turning handle for changing a pretension of the adjusting spring for setting the target temperature.

The integrated embodiment can also include other elements as they are common in known thermostatic heads such as a remote sensor, which comprises part of the expansion element and is connected to the housing of the thermostatic heads by a capillary tube.

From the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a thermostatic head placed on a radiator valve according to the prior art;

2 shows a schematic representation of the thermostatic head from FIG. 1 with a device according to the invention designed as an intermediate piece between the thermostatic head and the radiator valve,

3 shows a first example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

4 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 3 in a decoupling configuration,

5 shows a second example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

6 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 5 in a decoupling configuration,

7 shows a third example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

8 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 7 in a decoupling configuration,

9 shows a fourth example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

10 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 9 in a decoupling configuration,

11 shows a fifth example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

12 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 11 in a decoupling configuration,

13 shows a sixth example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

FIG. 14 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 13 in a decoupling configuration and

15 shows a seventh example of a device according to the invention in a coupling configuration,

16 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 15 in a decoupling configuration,

17 shows a schematic illustration of a thermostatic head placed on a radiator valve according to the invention.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 schematically shows a conventional thermostatic head 1 which is placed on the valve 20 of a radiator (not shown). The fact that it is a valve 20 for a radiator is evident from the fact that the valve plate 21 moves when the valve pin 23 is pressed by the tappet 3 of the thermostatic head 1 in the direction of the valve seat 22 and thus closes the valve 20, so that the flow of the heating medium (not shown) through the valve 20 in the direction of flow 25 and thus the temperature of the radiator is reduced. If the pressure on the valve pin 23 becomes lower, it is moved upward by the valve spring 24, which is supported on the one hand on the valve housing and on the other hand on a stop 26 connected to the valve pin 23, so that the valve seat 22 is released and the valve 20 more and more is opened.

The thermostatic head 1 comprises a fixed housing 4, fastening means 8 for fastening the thermostatic head 1 to the valve 20 and an expansion material 2, which is located in a closed vessel 10. The expansion material 2 is typically a liquid or a gaseous material. When the temperature rises, the expansion material 2 expands, as a result of which an excess pressure forms in the vessel 10, which is transmitted from the bulge 11 to the plunger 3 of the thermostatic head 1. The plunger 3 moves downwards accordingly, i.e. in the direction of the valve 20 or the fastening means 8 and transmits this movement accordingly to the valve pin 23 of the valve 20, whereby this is closed more and more. The movement of the plunger 3, the valve pin 23 and the valve plate 21, which results from the temperature rise of the expansion material 2, is indicated by the arrows 12.

When the temperature drops, the expansion material 2 contracts, causing the bulge 11 to move upwards again, i.e. away from the fastening means 8, moving and in this way releases the plunger 3. Due to the spring force of the adjusting spring 5, which is supported on the one hand on the housing 4 and on the other hand on the stop 9 connected to the plunger 3, the plunger 3 moves upward and thus releases the valve pin 23, so that the valve 20 opens as previously described ,

To set the desired target temperature, the thermostatic head 1 has a rotary handle 6 which has an internal thread 13 which engages in an external thread 7 of the housing 4. If the rotary handle 6 is turned clockwise, for example, it moves together with the vessel 10 and the plunger 3 in the direction of the valve 20 and in this way increases the pretensioning of the adjusting spring 5. As a result, the valve 20 is closed a little further, as a result of which the ambient temperature remains the same less heating medium flows through the valve 20. As a result, the setpoint temperature is reduced. Accordingly, the bias of the adjusting spring 5 can be reduced and the target temperature increased by turning the rotary handle 6 counterclockwise.

The thermostatic head 1 is not suitable for cooling operation, because even if a coolant were passed through the valve 20, the valve 20 would also be closed when the temperature rises, so that more coolant does not flow through the heat exchanger as is necessary for increased cooling, but less. Conversely, the valve 20 is opened when the temperature drops, so that instead of less coolant, more coolant flows through the heat exchanger.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the thermostatic head from FIG. 1 with a device according to the invention designed as an intermediate piece 30 between the thermostatic head 1 and the radiator valve 20. The intermediate piece 30 comprises a housing 31 with a first fastening device 8 for fastening to the radiator valve 20 ,

The first fastening device 8 comprises, for example, a union nut with an internal thread that is screwed onto an external thread on the radiator valve 20. The housing 31 further comprises a second fastening device 8 'for fastening to the thermostatic head 1. The second fastening device 8' comprises, for example, an external thread at the upper end of the housing 31, onto which a union nut of the fastening device 8 of the thermostatic head 1 is screwed.

The intermediate piece 30 further comprises an input plunger 32 which, when the intermediate piece 30 is attached to the thermostatic head 1, is coupled to the plunger 3 of the thermostatic head in such a way that it is also moved downward by a downward movement of the plunger 3, corresponding to the Valve pin 23 if the thermostatic head 1 would be mounted directly on the radiator valve 20. And when the plunger 3 moves upwards, the input plunger 32 also follows upwards because, for example, it is pressed upwards in the intermediate piece by a correspondingly pre-tensioned spring (not shown), just as with the valve pin 23.

The terms downwards and upwards or below and above refer to the representation according to the figures. This applies to the description of all figures.

The intermediate piece 30 further comprises an output plunger 33, which is coupled to the valve pin 23 such that the valve pin 23 is also moved downward by a downward movement of the output plunger 33, corresponding to a downward movement of the plunger 3 of the thermostatic head 1 when it is directly on the radiator valve 20 would be mounted. And when the output plunger 33 moves upwards, the valve pin 23 also follows upwards, because it is pressed upwards by the spring 24, as described.

Some examples of intermediate pieces are described below, which can be fastened according to the intermediate piece 30 by means of the first fastening device 8 or a second fastening device 8 'between a thermostatic head and a heat exchanger valve, these fastening devices of course also being able to be designed differently. In all examples, the intermediate piece has an input plunger and an output plunger, which are each coupled to one another by differently designed coupling means or which can be decoupled from one another by appropriately trained adjusting means. In some examples, the input plunger and output plunger are realized by a single plunger, which can consequently be decoupled from the radiator valve 20 or from the plunger 3 of the thermostatic head 1 by the adjusting means.

3 and 4 show a first example of an intermediate piece 40 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. FIG. 3 shows the intermediate piece 40 in its coupling configuration and FIG. 4 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The coupling means of the intermediate piece 40 comprise a pin 42 which is rotatably mounted about an axis 41 and which, in its vertical position, couples the input plunger 32 to the output plunger 33. The pin 42 can be deflected by a slide 43 which is rotatably mounted in a slot 47 on the pin 42 and can be displaced horizontally. If the slide 43 is pressed in the direction of arrow 44, for example, the pin 42 is deflected, so that the input plunger 32 is decoupled from the output plunger 33, as is shown in FIG. 4. By moving the slide 43 in the direction of arrow 45, the pin 42 is again placed vertically so that the input plunger 32 and output plunger 33 are coupled again.

It should be noted that the axis 41 together with the pin 42 is mounted in the housing of the intermediate piece 40 in such a way that it can be moved downward by the plunger of a thermostatic head, to which the intermediate piece 40 is fastened, via the input plunger 32. As a result, the output plunger 33 in the coupling configuration is also moved downward and thus actuates the valve pin of a heat exchanger valve on which the intermediate piece 40 is fastened.

The intermediate piece 40 comprises further elements, not shown, for example elements to ensure that the elements shown again input plunger 32, the output plunger 33, the slide 43 and the pin 42 can only move in the desired manner. These elements, not shown, include, for example, guide elements, stops, limits, suitable housing openings, springs, etc. This also applies to the elements of the examples described below that are present there.

5 and 6 show a second example of an intermediate piece 50 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. FIG. 5 shows the intermediate piece 50 in its coupling configuration and FIG. 6 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The intermediate piece 50 comprises a horizontally movable slide 51 with a flat underside and a stepped upper side with an upper step 56 and a lower step 57 which are connected to one another by a bevel 52. The input plunger 32 is mounted in the housing of the intermediate piece 50 such that its lower end 53 rests on the upper step 56 in the coupling configuration and is thus coupled to the plunger of a thermostatic head attached to the intermediate piece 50. If the slide 51 is now moved in the direction of the arrow 54, the input plunger 32 is released by the sloping slope 52 of the slider 51 so that it moves downward and is thus decoupled from the plunger of the thermostatic head. A stop ring 58 at the upper end of the input plunger 32 prevents the input plunger 32 from falling too far into the housing of the intermediate piece 50. The output plunger 33 remains unaffected by the horizontal displacement of the slide 51 and accordingly it also remains coupled to the valve pin of a valve on which the intermediate piece 50 is mounted. By moving the slide 51 in the direction of arrow 55, the bevel 52 lifts the input plunger 32 again, so that the input plunger 32 rests on the upper step 56 and is coupled again to the plunger of the thermostatic head.

It should be noted that the slide 51 is mounted in the housing of the intermediate piece 50 in such a way that it can be moved downward by the thermostatic head tappet via the input tappet 32. As a result, the output plunger 33 in the coupling configuration is also moved downward and thus actuates the valve pin of a heat exchanger valve on which the intermediate piece 50 is fastened.

In a variant of this example, the slide is mounted upside down, i.e. with the flat side upwards and the stepped side downwards, so that the horizontal movement of the slide 51 does not move the input plunger but the output plunger 33 vertically and can thus be decoupled from the valve pin.

In another variant of this example, the slide is not horizontally displaceable, but rotatably or rotatably arranged so that it can be adjusted, for example by rotation or rotation, so that the input or output plunger between the raised or the lowered position can be adjusted. 7 and 8 show a third example of an intermediate piece 60 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. FIG. 7 shows the adapter 60 in its coupling configuration and FIG. 8 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The intermediate piece 60 comprises a pivot arm 62 which is pivotally connected via a joint 61 to the lower end of the input plunger 32 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. In its vertical position, the swivel arm 62 can transmit a downward movement of the input plunger 32 to the output plunger 33. The swivel arm 62 can be deflected by a horizontally displaceable slide 63, which is rotatably mounted in a slot 67 on the swivel arm 62. If the slider 63 is pressed, for example, in the direction of the arrow 64, the swivel arm 62 is deflected in the joint 61, the slider 63 being displaced relative to the slot 67 therein. That the swivel arm 62 can no longer transmit movement to the output plunger. That the input plunger 32 is decoupled from the output plunger 33, as shown in FIG. 8. The input plunger 32 remains unaffected by the displacement of the slide 63. The height difference of the lower swivel arm end caused by the swivel movement is compensated for by the displacement of the slide 63 in the slot 67. By moving the slide 63 in the direction of arrow 65, the swivel arm 62 is again placed vertically so that the input plunger 32 and output plunger 33 are coupled again.

It should be noted that the axis 61 together with the swivel arm 62 is mounted in the housing of the intermediate piece 60 in such a way that it can be moved downward by the plunger of a thermostatic head, to which the intermediate piece 60 is fastened, via the input plunger 32. As a result, the output plunger 33 in the coupling configuration is also moved downward and thus actuates the valve pin of a heat exchanger valve on which the intermediate piece 60 is fastened. The slider 63 can be horizontal with respect to the housing of the. In a variant of this example, the slider 63 is not mounted in a slot on the swivel arm 62, but is connected to the swivel arm by a joint. If the slide 63 is vertical, i.e. fixed with respect to the housing of the intermediate piece 60 and is then moved in the direction of the arrow 64, not only is the swivel arm 62 deflected as a result, but the joint together with the input plunger 32 is also moved downward. Or the swivel arm 62 is fixed vertically and the slide 63 is moved upwards together with the joint when moving in the direction of the arrow 64.

9 and 10 show a fourth example of an intermediate piece 70 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. FIG. 9 shows the intermediate piece 70 in its coupling configuration and FIG. 10 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The coupling means of the intermediate piece 70 comprise four edge elements 72 which are movably connected to one another via four joints 71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4 such that they form a parallelogram and that the edge elements 72 each pass through an axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing Joints 71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4 are rotatable. The uppermost joint 71.1 is connected to the lower end of the input plunger 32 and the lowermost joint 71.2 is connected to the upper end of the output plunger 33. In this example, the two joints 71.3 and 71.4 are fixed in height in the housing of the intermediate piece 70. The intermediate piece 70 now further comprises an adjusting element with a rotary knob 73 and a threaded rod 76 connected to the rotary knob 73, so that the threaded rod 76 rotates about its longitudinal axis by rotating the rotary knob 73. The fourth joint 71.4 then comprises, for example, an opening with an internal thread, into which the threaded rod 76 is screwed.

9, the threaded rod 76 is turned far out of the internal thread of the joint 71.4, so that the joints 71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4 form an elongated parallelogram, which stands on its tip, so that the input plunger 32 with the Tappet of a thermostatic head and the output pushes 33 is coupled to the valve pin of a heat exchanger valve.

If the threaded rod 76 is now rotated in the direction of rotation 74 by turning the rotary knob 73, the joint 71.4 on the threaded rod 76 moves outward and the parallelogram contracts, so that the joints 71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4 in turn are elongated Form a parallelogram, but this time it has a blunt end. As a result, the input plunger 32 is moved downward and the output plunger 33 is moved upward, so that the

Input plunger 32 is no longer coupled to the plunger of the thermostatic head and the output plunger 33 is no longer coupled to the valve pin of the heat exchanger valve. This configuration is shown in Fig. 10.

If the rotary knob 73 is rotated in the opposite direction of rotation 75, the joint 71.4 on the threaded rod 76 moves inwards again, so that the parallelogram is again on its tip as shown in FIG. 9. Other variants of this example are not the two middle joints 71.3 and 71.4 are fixed in height, but for example the top joint 71.1 is fixed in height. As a result, the input plunger 32 remains uninfluenced by the rotary movement of the rotary knob 73, but the lowest joint 71.2, together with the output plunger 33, moves all the more upward, as a result of which the input and output plungers are decoupled from one another. In this case, the middle joints 71.3 and 71.4 and with them also the threaded rod 76 together with the rotary knob 73 move slightly up and down.

Or the lowest joint 71.2 is fixed in height, so that the output plunger 33 remains unaffected by the rotary movement of the rotary knob 73. But the uppermost joint 71.1, together with the input tappet 33, moves all the more downward, as a result of which the input and output tappets are decoupled from one another. In this case, the middle joints 71.3 and 71.4 and with them also the threaded rod 76 together with the rotary knob 73 move slightly downwards and upwards.

11 and 12 show a fifth example of an intermediate piece 80 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. Fig. 11 shows the adapter 80 in its coupling configuration and Fig. 12 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The intermediate piece 80 comprises a cone 81 with an external thread, which is fixed in height in the housing of the intermediate piece 80. The intermediate piece 80 further comprises a lower half-cone 82.1 and an upper half-cone 82.2. Both half cones 82.1, 82.2 comprise an internal thread, which are in engagement with the external thread of the cone 81. The input tappet 32 is fixed on the upper half cone 82.2 and the output tappet 33 on the lower half cone 82.1. In addition, holding means 87 are provided which on the one hand compress the two half cones 82.1, 82.2 and on the other hand hold the two half cones 82.1, 82.2 in their horizontal position. However, the two half cones 82.1, 82.2 are movable in the vertical direction. A rotary knob 83 is firmly connected to the cone 81, so that it can be rotated with the rotary knob 83. If the cone 81 is now rotated in the direction of rotation 84 by turning the rotary knob 83, the cone 81 shifts horizontally to the right due to the thread effect. Since the two half cones 82.1, 82.2 cannot move to the right because of the holding means 87, they also move closer together, also because of the holding means 87. As a result, the input tappet 32 with the upper half cone 82.2 moves downward and the output tappet 33 with the lower half cone 82.1 upwards. In this way, both the input plunger 32 and the output plunger 33 are decoupled from the valve pin.

By turning the cone 81 in the direction of rotation 85, the cone 81 again shifts horizontally to the left and thus presses the two half cones 82.1, 82.2 together with the plungers attached to them, so that the input plunger 32 again with the thermostatic head plunger and the output plunger 33 again is coupled to the valve pin.

In a variant of this example, the input plunger 32 and / or the output plunger 33 are not fastened to the corresponding half-cones, but are only held in the housing of the intermediate piece. Accordingly, by unscrewing the cone 81, the two tappets are decoupled from each other and not from the thermostatic head tappet or the valve pin.

In a further variant of this example, the cone 81 is not fixed in height, but rather the upper half-cone 82.2 is fixed in height, for example. As a result, the input plunger 32 remains unaffected by the displacement of the cone 81, but the lower semi-cone 82.1, together with the output plunger 33, moves all the more upward, as a result of which the decoupling occurs. In this case, the cone 81 also moves slightly up and down together with the rotary knob 83 when screwing in or out.

Or the lower half cone 82.1 is fixed in height so that the output plunger 33 remains unaffected by the rotary movement of the rotary knob 83. But the upper half-cone 82.2, together with the input tappet 33, moves all the more downward, as a result of which the input and output tappets are decoupled from one another. In this case, the cone 81, together with the rotary knob 83, also moves slightly downward or upward when screwing in or out.

13 and 14 show a sixth example of an intermediate piece 90 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. FIG. 13 shows the intermediate piece 90 in its coupling configuration and FIG. 14 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The intermediate piece 90 comprises an upper holding element 91 and a lower holding element 92 and a spring 96 stretched between them, which pulls the two holding elements 91, 92 towards one another as far as possible. The input plunger 32 is fixed to the upper holding element 91 and the output plunger 33 to the lower holding element 92. In addition, a locking element 97 is provided, which is arranged between the two holding elements 91, 92, which is fixed in height and which is rotated via a rotary knob 93 its horizontal axis is rotatable. The locking element 97 has, for example, an elliptical shape, the axis of rotation of the rotary knob 93 running through the center of this ellipse. That 13, the locking element 97 is rotated so that its two long semiaxes are vertical. That it blocks the two holding elements 91, 92 with its longitudinal extension. Accordingly, the two holding elements 91, 92 are mutually fixed in such a way that the input plunger 32 is coupled to the plunger of the thermostatic head and the output plunger 33 is coupled to the valve pin.

If the locking element 97 is now rotated by 90 ° with the aid of the rotary knob 93, regardless of the direction of rotation 94, its vertical extent is reduced to the length of the two short semiaxes, so that the two holding elements 91, 92 as a result of the spring action of the spring 96 be contracted. As a result, the input plunger 32 with the upper holding element 91 moves downward and the output plunger 33 with the lower holding element 92 moves upward. In this way, both the input plunger 32 are decoupled from the thermostatic head plunger and the output plunger 33 from the valve pin.

By rotating the locking element 97 by 90 ° with the help of the rotary knob 93, again in which direction of rotation 95, its vertical extension is increased again and the two holding elements are pressed apart again, so that the input plunger 32 again with that of the thermostatic head plunger and the output plunger 33 is coupled again to the valve pin.

In a variant of this example, the input plunger 32 and / or the output plunger 33 are not fastened to the corresponding holding elements, but are only held in the housing of the intermediate piece. Accordingly, by rotating the locking element 97, the two tappets are decoupled from each other and not from the thermostatic head tappet or from the valve pin.

In a further variant of this example, the locking element 97 is not fixed in height, but rather the upper holding element 91 is fixed in height, for example. As a result, the input plunger 32 remains unaffected by the rotation of the locking element 97, but the lower holding element 92, together with the output plunger 33, moves all the more upward, as a result of which the decoupling takes place. In this case, the locking element 97 together with the rotary knob 83 also moves slightly up or down when it is rotated through 90 ° in each case.

Or the lower holding element 92 is fixed in height, so that the output plunger 33 remains unaffected by the rotation of the locking element 97. But the upper holding element 91, together with the input plunger 33, moves all the more downwards, as a result of which the input and output plungers are decoupled from one another. In this case, the locking element 97 together with the rotary knob 83 also moves slightly downwards or upwards when it is rotated through 90 ° in each case.

15 and 16 show a seventh example of an intermediate piece 150 for mounting between a conventional thermostatic head and a corresponding heat exchanger valve. FIG. 15 shows the intermediate piece 150 in its coupling configuration and FIG. 16 shows it in its decoupling configuration.

The intermediate piece 150 comprises a horizontally movably arranged slide 151 with a slope 152. The input plunger 32 is made in one piece with the output plunger 33 and comprises a stop 153 attached to it, which rests on the upper side of the slide 151. If the slide 151 is now moved in the direction of the arrow 154, the stop 153 is raised by the rising slope 152 of the slide 151 together with the input plunger 32 and is thus decoupled from the valve pin when the intermediate piece is mounted on a heat exchanger valve. Such movement of the input plunger 32 is possible, however, if the thermostatic head fastened on the intermediate piece 150 is designed accordingly. if it allows the pushing in of its ram from below. By moving the slide 151 in the direction of the arrow 155, the bevel 152 releases the stop 153 again, the input plunger 32 moves downward and is coupled again to the valve pin.

It should be noted that the slide 151 is mounted in the housing of the intermediate piece 150 in such a way that it can be moved downward by the plunger of a thermostatic head, to which the intermediate piece 150 is attached, via the stop 153 of the input plunger 32. As a result, the output plunger 33 in the coupling configuration is also shifted downward and thus actuates the valve pin of a heat exchanger valve on which the intermediate piece 150 is fastened.

In a variant of this example, a separate output plunger is provided for interaction with the valve pin and the input plunger is made shorter, so that the input plunger can be coupled to the separate output plunger. In the position according to FIG. 15, the input and output plungers would then be coupled to one another and decoupled from one another in the position according to FIG. 16, since the input plunger is raised and the output plunger is not displaced vertically.

17 shows a schematic representation of a thermostatic head 101 according to the invention in an integrated embodiment, placed on a radiator valve 20. The thermostatic head 101 is largely identical to the thermostatic head 1 from FIG. 1. In contrast to this, however, coupling means are in the housing 104 of the thermostatic head 101 integrated. In this example, the coupling means comprise an input plunger 132 and an output plunger 133 formed separately therefrom, which, for example, can be coupled to or decoupled from one another in accordance with one of the examples described above.

Of course, a combined input / output plunger can also be used. The thermostatic head 101 can also be designed such that its plunger 3 also functions as an input plunger or as an input and output plunger.

Due to the additional elements of the coupling means, the thermostatic head 101 is typically larger than a conventional thermostatic head and accordingly the housing 104 is longer and the external thread 107 is arranged at the lower end of the housing 104. The rotary handle 106 is also longer, so that its internal thread 13 can engage in the external thread 107.

In summary, it should be noted that the invention makes it possible to provide a valve actuation device which can be used for both heating and cooling operation and which is also technically simple and consequently inexpensive to implement.

Claims (13)

claims 1. Device for actuating a valve of a heat exchanger for controlling a flow rate of a fluid, in particular a liquid, through the heat exchanger, wherein the device comprises first fastening means for fastening the device to the heat exchanger and coupling means for coupling a movement of an expansion element caused by a change in volume caused by a change in temperature Transmission element comprising the valve, wherein the coupling means comprise a valve actuating element for opening or closing the valve by moving the valve actuating element in an actuating direction and the valve can be actuated by means of the valve actuating element in a device fastened to the heat exchanger by means of the first fastening means, characterized in that the device comprises a switching device for decoupling the valve actuating element in terms of movement by means of the first fastening means on Heat exchanger attached device from the valve. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means are designed for heating operation, such that a movement of the valve actuating element for opening the valve can be generated when the temperature of the expansion element decreases and that movement of the valve actuating element for closing the valve can be generated when the temperature of the expansion element increases is. 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching device comprises switching means which can be brought into a coupling configuration and a decoupling configuration, the switching means being coupled to the coupling means in such a way that the coupling means in the coupling configuration of the switching means are coupled in terms of movement to the valve, and that the coupling means are decoupled in terms of movement from the valve in the decoupling configuration of the switching means. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the switching means can be brought into the coupling configuration or into the decoupling configuration by a change in position and / or position. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the switching means comprise an adjusting element for switching the switching means from the coupling configuration to the decoupling configuration and vice versa, the adjusting element being in particular manually operable. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the switching means can be brought from the coupling configuration into the decoupling configuration and vice versa by at least one of the following types of actuation of the adjusting element: - by a translational shift, -by a rotation, -by rotation. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means comprise a plunger, which is or can be coupled to the transmission element and which comprises the valve actuating element, wherein the switching device is designed for the movement decoupling of the plunger from the valve. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means comprise a first plunger and a second plunger which can be coupled in terms of movement with the first plunger, wherein the first plunger can be coupled with the transmission element and the second plunger comprises the valve actuating element, the switching device for the movement-related decoupling of the first plunger is formed by the second plunger. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising second fastening means for fastening the device to a control device comprising the expansion element and the transmission element, wherein the coupling means are designed such that they move in motion when the device is fastened to the control device by means of the second fastening means are coupled. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means comprise a transmission, in particular a hydraulic or a mechanical transmission. 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the coupling means comprise a mechanical transmission which has a lever mechanism and / or a rack and pinion mechanism. 12. The device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the device comprises the expansion element and the transmission element. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein it comprises an adjusting spring and adjusting means, in particular a turning handle, for changing a bias of the adjusting spring for setting a target temperature.