EP1239230A1 - Connector assembly for connecting an expansion vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

The pressure expansion tank is divided by a membrane into a water-filled hollow compartment, and a pressurized gas-filled chamber. The connecting fitment incorporates a suction arrangement creating suction causing water exchange over a flow path with forward (96) and backward (94) paths formed by coaxial ducts. A molded body (26) has a middle part (30) containing an inner duct (46) as part of the backward path ad protruding into the water-flow. an outer duct (42) of the molded body as part of the forward path is connected to the water flow by means of an inlet extending round the middle part.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a connection fitting for connecting a pressure expansion vessel to a pipe system in which a water flow flows, one Membrane the vessel into a cavity filled with water and one with a Compressed gas-filled compressed gas space, in which the valve is a Contains suction device in which a suction can be generated by the water flow, by means of this suction a water exchange flow over one to the water flow parallel flow path running through the cavity with a flow path and a return path can be generated.

In particular, the invention relates to a connection fitting of this type, in which the parallel flow path can be shut off by a plug valve with a valve plug, the valve being a valve body with a connection piece for the Has pressure expansion vessel, the valve plug of the plug valve in the Connection piece for the pressure expansion vessel between the suction device forming first molded body adjacent to the water flow and one on the Side of the pressure expansion vessel also sitting in the connecting piece second shaped body is arranged and the second shaped body is a central tube part and a surrounding one connected to the central tube part by webs Has ring part.

State of the art

There are drinking water heaters in which the drinking water to be heated is in one closed container, e.g. is heated by heat exchange with heating water. When it heats up, the drinking water expands. This expansion must be taken into account be worn. For this purpose, a membrane safety valve is usually used Drained water. That requires an outflow for the exiting Expansion water. The volume of expansion water lost in the process In a four-person household, depending on the installation and size of the Drinking water heater up to ten liters per day. That adds up significant water and energy losses.

It is therefore known to use expansion tanks with the system of the DHW heater connect, which absorb the expansion water. Known devices of this type contain a bubble membrane, which is arranged in a pressurized gas-filled housing. The edge of an inlet opening of the bladder membrane is with the edge of an inlet opening connected to the housing. The inlet openings are with the system of Drinking water heater in connection. In the space between the bladder membrane and The housing is filled with compressed gas via a filling valve.

These expansion vessels are for drinking water heaters for hygienic reasons problematic. They contain a stagnant and not exchanged one Volume of water.

Another problem with such expansion vessels is that maintenance and inspection of such vessels is difficult. In operation, the bubble membrane of the inside with the pressurized drinking water. On the The pressure of the compressed gas acts on the outside. The pressure of the compressed gas in the housing would have to be checked via the filling valve. A pure pressure check through However, measuring the pressure at the filling valve in the operating state does not allow any conclusion the functionality of the expansion tank, that is, whether in the housing enough compressed gas is contained. There is a gas pressure across the membrane that corresponds to the operating pressure of the water. To check it must therefore the expansion tank must be disconnected from the drinking water system. The The membrane must be relieved of the water pressure. Only then can one Pressure measurement on the filling valve to check the gas cushion of the compressed gas done sensibly.

EP-A-0 602 480 describes a connection vessel for heated drinking water with a cavity enclosed by a bladder membrane, with a drinking water heater communicates. One of the housings borders on the cavity limited compressed gas space. The connection fitting is for connecting the cavity with an inlet and for direct connection of the inlet to an outlet so trained that a water exchange flow through the cavity when tapping warm drinking water is generated. For this purpose, the connection fitting has one direct flow passage between inlet and Outlet and continues to be fluidly parallel to the direct flow passage and flow path through the cavity. In this Parallel flow path is a suction device through which by means of the the direct flow path flowing flow drinking water a suction can be generated is. This suction causes the water exchange flow when tapping drinking water over the parallel flow path through the cavity into the downstream Part of the direct flow path generated.

In one embodiment of EP-A-0 602 430, the inlet and outlet are the Connection fitting arranged side by side. The direct flow passage is a Breakthrough in a partition separating the inlet and the outlet. The Connection fitting contains a flow path and a return path of the parallel Flow path. The return path ends in a pipe neck of one Channel section of the return path containing the first molded body. The molded body is inserted into a connecting piece of a valve body. The pipe neck is protrudes coaxially to the outlet into the outlet. Due to the injector effect Tapping drinking water creates a suction in the pipe neck.

The flow path and the return path can be blocked at the same time by a ball valve. The valve ball of the ball valve has a straight, in the return path, diametric channel. There are slots in the ball valves on both sides of the channel formed, being between the ball valve and the inner wall of the connecting piece an annulus is created. A ring connected to the inlet opens into this annular space Channel that forms a section of the flow path of the parallel flow path. On the side of the valve ball facing away from the pressure expansion vessel sits in the Connection piece a second molded body. The second molded body has two to each other coaxial channels. The inside of these two channels is aligned with the diametrical channel the valve ball. The outside of these channels is on the one hand with the slots of the Valve ball and thus with the annulus and on the other hand with an inlet of the Cavity in connection. The interior of the channels is one in the cavity protruding outlet pipe provided with outlet openings.

In the known embodiment, the valve ball is between separate bearing rings concave spherical bearing surfaces. The bearing rings sit between the Shaped bodies and the valve ball.

The valve ball is in an operating position by an operating spindle The flow and return paths are open and can be turned through 90 ° into a locked position. The Actuating spindle contains a longitudinal channel that has a valve with an outlet connected is. The longitudinal channel communicates with the cavity. In the Blocking position can then be emptied to the pressure in the cavity Check the compressed gas-filled room.

In another embodiment of EP-A-0 602 430, inlet and outlet are coaxial arranged. The suction device is a Venturi tube.

DE-A-195 29 959 describes a connection fitting for connecting a Expansion vessel to a pipe network. The connection fitting contains one Main flow channel, which forms part of the pipeline network and one to it parallel, running through the cavity of the pressure expansion vessel Flow path. The parallel flow path is as in EP-A-0 602 430 in Mouth area of the return path into the main flow channel with a Provide suction device, which a water exchange flow over the parallel Flow path generated.

In the arrangement according to DE-A-195 29 959, the valve body is T-shaped educated. The main flow channel forms the continuous T-web. The parallel Flow path is integrated in the T-leg. Here is the parallel flow path divided into a flow path and a return path by a partition in the T-leg. The partition extends into the area of the T-bar. There is in the partition an opening is provided. In the opening sits a tubular body that is part of the Suction device forms.

A ball valve is arranged in the T-leg of the valve body which is the channel of the forerun running on both sides of the partition and the return of the parallel flow path can be shut off at the same time.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention has for its object a connection fitting of the beginning to simplify the type mentioned constructively.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a connection fitting of the type mentioned Art solved in that the forward and return path of each other coaxial Channels are formed, the leading path from the outer of the coaxial channels and the return path is formed by the interior of the coaxial channels, with a molded body a middle part containing an inner channel as part of the return path into the Water flow protrudes, the inner channel of the molded body on its outlet side End is angled in the direction parallel to the water flow and an outer channel of the molded part as part of the advance path via an arc around the central part extending inlet-side inlet opening communicates with the water flow.

Suction device and ducting are very easy. It has been shown that with a suction device constructed in this way a sufficient suction can be generated to the required water exchange flow over the parallel flow path and To create cavity of the pressure expansion vessel.

Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An embodiment of the invention with various modifications is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig.1

shows a longitudinal section of a connection fitting for connecting a Pressure expansion vessel.

Fig.2

shows a section of a longitudinal section similar to Figure 1, wherein the Ball valve is in its locked position.

Figure 3

shows a section along the line A - A of Fig.1.

Figure 4

shows a section along the line B - B of Fig.1.

Figure 5

shows on an enlarged scale and broken a section along the Line C - C of Fig. 1.

Figure 6

shows a view in the direction "X" of Fig.1.

Figure 7

shows a detail "Y" of Fig.1 on an enlarged scale.

Figure 8

shows in a section similar to FIG. 1 a modification of the connection fitting.

Figure 9

shows a section of a security group with a connection fitting of the present type is combined.

Figure 10

shows a section along the line D - D of Fig.9.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In Figure 1, 10 denotes a valve body. The valve body 10 has an inlet 12 in the form of an inlet connector and an outlet 14 in the form an outlet connection. Inlet 12 and outlet 14 are coaxial opposite sides of the valve body 10 is arranged. The valve body 10 also has a connecting piece 16. The axis of the Connection piece 16 extends perpendicular to the common axis of inlet 12 and Outlet 14 approximately in the middle between these. Inlet 12 and outlet 14 are through one direct flow passage 18 interconnected. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 form inlet 12, flow passage 18 and outlet 14 practically a continuous Pipe section of substantially constant cross-section.

The connecting piece 16 goes from the flow passage 18. The inner wall the connecting piece 16 forms a step or ring shoulder 20. To the ring shoulder 20th followed by radial recesses 22 which are open to the annular shoulder 20. Subsequent to the recesses 22, an opening 24 is formed which the Connecting piece 16 connects to the flow passage 18.

A first molded body 26 is inserted into the connecting piece 16. The first molded body 26 has a jacket-shaped outer part 28 and a central part 30 coaxial therewith. The outer part 28 has a thickened, annular section 32 and one tubular section 34. Section 32 is seated on annular shoulder 20. The tubular section 34 is fitted into the opening 24. On the tubular Radial cams 36 are formed on section 34. The cams 36 are in the radial Recesses 22 added. Make the recesses 22 and the cams 36 sure that the first molded body 26 only in a defined position in the Connection piece 16 can be used. The outer part 28 and the middle part 30 are connected to one another by radial webs 38. The tubular middle part 30 forms one central channel 40, which is coaxial to an annular channel interrupted by the webs 38 42 between outer part 28 and middle part 30.

The molded body 26 projects into the flow passage 18. The is in the Flow passage 18 protruding portion of the outer part 28 along a surface 44 cut off at an angle. On the inlet side, this section closes approximately with the inner wall the flow passage 18 from, while the section on the outlet side up to about Extends axis of the outlet. The channel 40 of the middle part 30 is in the area of Flow passage 18 angled by 90 ° in the direction of the outlet, so that a End piece 46 of the channel 40 is in the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet flowing flow extends. The channel 40 opens through the wall of the outer part through on the outlet side into the flow passage 18 or outlet 14.

The annular, thickened section 32 of the outer part 28 carries an O-ring 48. In addition, the outer part 28 is against the connecting piece 16 by an O-ring 50 sealed.

On the O-ring 48 of the outer part 28 there is a valve ball 52 Valve plug. The O-ring 48 is held by a support disk 53. The support disc 53 lies against the O-ring 48 outside the contact surface with which the O-ring 48 rests on the valve ball. The valve ball 52 is seated in the connector 16.

The valve ball 52 has a diametrical channel 54, which is shown in FIG Operating position with the channel 40 of the central part 30 of the first molded body 26 is aligned. The valve ball 52 also has an annular channel 56. The ring channel 56 is coaxial the diametrical channel 54. Between the diametrical channel 54 and the ring channel 56 a pipe section 58 is formed. The pipe section 58 is with the rest of the valve ball 52 connected by radial ribs 60. This is best seen in Fig.2.

In the connecting piece 16 is still on the outer side of the valve ball 52 second molded body 62 used. The second molded body 62 has a tubular one Middle part 64 and an outer part 66 surrounding the middle part 64. The outer part 66 surrounds the central part 64 coaxially. The outer part 66 has a cylindrical section 68 and a ball-side flange 70. On the inner edge of the flange 70 is one concave-spherical, annular bearing surface 72 is formed. The bearing surface 72 is located directly on the valve ball 52. The flange 70 has the valve ball 52 on it on the opposite side perpendicular to the flange surface projecting ribs 74.

A sleeve-shaped screw-in part 76 is in an internal thread 78 of the connecting piece 16 screwed in. The screw-in part 76 sits with an inwardly projecting edge 80 on the ribs 74 of the flange 70. A sealing washer 82 lies on the edge 80. The screw-in part 76 has a collar 84. Between screw-in part 76, collar 84 and connecting piece 16, a sealing ring 86 is inserted.

The tubular middle part 64 of the second shaped body 62 is over with the outer part 66 radial webs 88 connected. The middle part 64 protrudes from the outer part 66 and the Connection piece 16 out. The tubular middle part 64 forms an inner channel 90. Between the middle part 64 and the outer part 66 there is an interruption by the webs 88 Ring channel 92 formed.

The inner channels 90, 54 and 40, 46 are aligned and together form one Return path 94 for a water exchange flow through a water-filled Cavity of the expansion vessel. A lead 96 is also from the aligned outer or ring channels 42, 56 and 92 are formed. Sitting on the middle part 64 an outlet pipe which projects into the cavity of the pressure expansion vessel, as in EP-A-0 602 430.

The valve ball 52 has a slot 100, the central plane through the axis of the Channels 54 and 56 run. Lugs 102, 104 engage in slot 100 Actuating spindle 106 a. The actuating spindle 106 extends perpendicular to the Axis of the connecting piece 16. The actuating spindle 106 is in a lateral Bearing approach 108 of the connecting piece 16 stored. The actuator stem 106 is sealed against the bearing shoulder 108 by two sealing rings 110. The approaches 102, 104 are flat lugs that extend axially from the face of the actuator stem 106 extend into the slot 100 with respect to the axis of the actuating spindle 106. The Actuating spindle 106 can be described by means of an adjusting handle 112 in FIG Can be rotated by 90 °. As a result, the valve ball 52 is shown in FIG Operating position rotated into the locking position shown in Fig.2.

The actuating spindle 106 has a longitudinal channel 114. The longitudinal channel 114 is on closed at its outer end by a releasable plug 116. The longitudinal channel opens on the inner end face of the actuating spindle 106 between the lugs 102 and 104 in an annular space 118 between the valve ball 52 and the inner wall the connecting piece 16 is formed. As can be seen from Figure 2, the valve ball 52 recesses 120 and 122. These recesses 120 and 122 in the in Fig.2 shown locking position a connection between the vessel-side portion of the Lead path 96 and the annular space 118 and thus between the cavity of the Expansion vessel and the longitudinal channel 114 forth. Leading path 96 and Return path 94 are in the locked position of FIG. 2 on the armature side of the annular space 118 shut off by the valve ball 52 and the O-ring 48. Then if the detachable Plug 116 is removed, the water-filled cavity of the pressure expansion vessel be emptied. It is then e.g. possible the gas pressure in the Pressure expansion vessel to be measured independently of the water pressure.

The control handle 112 is normally locked. For this purpose, the bearing approach 108 of the valve body 10 a cam 124 attached. The cam 124 protrudes into a complementary recess 126 (FIG. 5) of the adjusting handle 112 Control handle 112 held in the position shown in Fig.1. To operate the Adjusting handle 112 is the adjusting handle 112 against the action of a spring 128 (Figure 7) depressed on the right in Fig. 1. Then an arcuate, over 90 ° extending undercut 130 (Figure 4) of the handle 112 in the region of the cam 124. With this undercut 130, the adjusting handle 112 is 90 ° clockwise from 4 against the valve body 10 in the locking position shown in Figure 2 rotatable.

Spring 128 is a coil spring. The spring 128 is seated in a circumferential recess 132 of the actuating spindle 106 and lies at one end on an annular shoulder 134 of the Actuating spindle 106 on. The adjusting handle 112 engages with a peripheral recess 136 via the spring 128. The spring 128 is at its other end on an annular shoulder 138 of the handle 112. The spring 128 looks for the adjusting handle 112 to the left in FIG. 1 press and hold the cam 124 in the recess 126. The spring 128 the handle 112 can not pull off the actuator spindle is on the Control handle attached a collar 140, in the path of a stop 142 of the actuating spindle 106 is arranged.

The arrangement of Figure 8 is similar to the arrangement of Figure 1. Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in both figures.

In the arrangement according to Figure 8, the connecting piece 16 is a separate component, the with the first and second shaped bodies 26 and 62 and the valve ball 52 and with the Actuating spindle 106 and the adjusting handle 112 forms an insert 150. This stake 150 can be threaded 152 into a conventional installation with a T-piece be screwed in. The correct positioning of the suction device 154 is ensured by a Teflon ring (Asag ring) 156.

It is known to have a fitting in closed drinking water heating systems a backflow preventer, a test valve and a safety valve. Such a fitting 158 with backflow preventer 160, check valve 162 and Safety valve 164 is shown in Figure 9. Such a fitting is, as from Fig. 10 can be seen, with an additional, lateral connecting piece 166 with internal thread Mistake. An insert 150 according to FIG. 8 is screwed into this connecting piece 166, so that the suction device 154 protrudes into the through channel.

Claims (4)

Connection fitting for connecting a pressure expansion vessel to a line system in which a water flow flows, a membrane dividing the vessel into a cavity filled with water and a compressed gas space filled with a compressed gas, in which (a) the fitting contains a suction device (152) in which a suction can be generated by the water flow, (b) a water exchange flow can be generated by means of this suction via a flow path parallel to the water flow and running through the cavity with a flow path (96) and a return path (94)
characterized in that (c) the forward and return paths (96; 94) are formed by channels which are coaxial with one another, the forward path (96) being formed by the outer of the coaxial channels and the return path (94) by the inner of the coaxial channels, (d) a molded body (26) with a central part (30) containing an inner channel (46) as part of the return path (94) projects into the water flow, (e) the inner channel (46) of the shaped body (26) is angled at its outlet end in the direction parallel to the water flow and (F) an outer channel (42) of the molded body (26) as part of the flow path (96) via an inlet-side inlet opening extending around the central part (30) communicates with the water flow. Connection fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that (a) the first molded body (26) has an outer part (28) which is connected to the central part (30) via radial webs (38), (b) the outer part (28) is cut off in a tubular section projecting into the water flow obliquely to the axis of this section, the section with its downstream wall area projecting further into the water flow than with its upstream wall area, and (c) the angled part of the inner channel (46) is passed through the downstream wall area of the outer part. Connection fitting according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that locking cams (36) are attached to the first shaped body (26), which engage in radial recesses (22) on the inside of the connecting piece (16) and an angular insertion of the first shaped body (26) guarantee. Connection fitting according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first molded body (26) is formed by a plastic part.

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