EP2233648A1 - Drinking and domestic water system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a supply line (1) provided for supplying water. A circular pipeline is attached to the supply line via an unthreaded opening (36) and a threaded opening (34). A cross section reduction unit is provided between the openings in the supply line so that a circular stream (R) is caused in the circular pipeline, during a volume flow rate in the supply line. A modifying unit is provided for modifying volume flow ratio between the circular stream and a main stream (H), which flows via the supply line between the openings, in dependent of temperature of the circular stream.

Description

The present invention relates to a drinking or service water system with a transfer point from a public supply network and at least one supply line for the supply of water and at least one loop leading to at least one consumer. This ring line is connected to the supply line via inlet and outlet openings, wherein a cross-sectional constriction is provided in the supply line between the extraction and threading openings. The cross-sectional constriction is designed such that when flowing through the supply line in the loop line a flow is effected, due to the Venturi effect.

The drinking or service water system according to the present invention may be a cold or a hot water system. Modern hot water systems are formed with a circulation, which ensures that hot water heated by a heater is continuously circulated in the lines leading to the consumer, so that hot water is discharged immediately at a consumer water removal and germination of the system, for example by Legionella is avoided. The circulation prevents the cooling of hot water in the line. In hot water circulation systems, the circulation leading away from the consumer and connecting them to the heater or a boiler of the heater with a smaller diameter than the supply line is formed. The reason for this is due to the fact that through the supply line as a consumption line, a high flow rate must flow through with water removal, whereas in the circulation line only such a flow must be performed, which ensures a constant replacement of the hot water in the lines of the hot water system.

A generic drinking or service water system is for example from the DE 10 2006 017 807 known to the present applicant. In this prior art several ring lines go from a supply line, which communicates with the interposition of a motor-driven valve with a purge line leading to a discharge point to the dirty water line. With this configuration, it is possible to flush a supply line to dissipate stagnant water there.

Also in this prior art drinking or service water system leading to the Einfädelöffnung line sections of the loop are formed with a smaller diameter, so that when there is a flow in the supply line, there is one, albeit small flow in the connected loop lines.

Despite hydrodynamically correct design such that a sufficient flow through the loop can be achieved due to a flow in the supply line, case designs are conceivable in which an exchange of standing in the loop water can not always be guaranteed due to a flow in the supply line. This leads, for example, in a hot water system that in the ring line, the flow rate is too low and the water cools down there, so that when a withdrawal of hot water to the consumer for a long time initially cold water is discharged from the corresponding consumer and the risk of contamination , in particular with legionella. In a cold water system, it can happen that a microbial contamination with pseudomonads occurs in the loop, which find good growth conditions due to insufficient flow through the loop especially in warm countries or in midsummer.

The present invention has for its object to provide a solution to the above problems.

With the present invention, the above-mentioned drinking or service water system is further developed by means with which the ratio between a ring volume flow through the loop and a main volume flow through the supply line between the Ausfädelöffnung and the threading depending on the temperature of the flow in the loop is variable ,

This formulation is based initially on the case that, when the supply line flows through, at least a slight, albeit insufficient volume flow in the loop is effected after the Venturi effect. However, the subject of the present application also extends to cases in which due to unfavorable conditions of the flow in the loop completely comes despite an effective flow in the main line to a halt. In this case, a temperature in the loop, preferably a temperature difference, is first used between the flow in the loop and the temperature of the (initially standing) volume of water in the loop to the position of the agent.

For the position of the agent, the temperature of the volume flow in the loop is measured. This is preferably done at a location just before the union of the two volume flows in the supply line. Alternatively, it is also possible to measure the temperature of the mixed volume flow since, in the cases considered here, the volume flow in the ring line will generally always be greater than the volume flow in the supply line. This means changes due to the measured temperature, the volume fractions between the ring flow on the one hand and the main flow on the other. The temperature is preferably compared with a comparison value. A comparison value can be formed by determining the temperature of the main flow. A decreasing temperature difference indicates an increasing flow through the loop. In the case of a hot water system, a low temperature in the ring line indicates that the flow through the loop should be increased.

A corresponding control characteristic can be set by a control device, which acts on the means for changing the volume flow conditions and processes, for example, the measured value of a temperature sensor, which determines the temperature of the guided water in the loop and provides an actuating element, with the flow resistance of the main flow and / or the ring flow is changeable. The control device can access a stored there setpoint for the temperature of the ring flow.

The adjusting element can be, for example, a throttle element arranged in the ring conduit, by means of which the flow resistance in the ring conduit is reduced. Alternatively or cumulatively, a corresponding throttle element may also be assigned to the main flow.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a means for varying the cross-sectional area of the cross-sectional constriction in dependence on the temperature difference is provided. This means can cooperate with the aforementioned control device and be adjustable by this. In a preferred and structurally simpler development, the means is controlled by an expansion element which is exposed to the temperature of the ring flow in the region of the threading opening and coupled to the means for varying the cross-sectional area. The coupling is preferably carried out such that the change in length of the expansion element leads to a position of the agent, which brings a change in the volume flow conditions with it. For example, between a stretching element arranged in the ring conduit and the means which is located within the supply line, a linkage can be provided, which transmits the stretching of the expansion element to the means for the position of the same. The expansion element itself may also be part of a provided in the loop or in the main throttle element, which changes the flow resistance in the loop.

Alternatively, the expansion element may also be provided in the manner of a conventional thermostatic valve and with a valve body, which extends to the cross-sectional constriction in order to change the cross-sectional area depending on temperature. A throttle element configured in such a way can also change a leakage flow, which is ensured via the cross-sectional constriction in the main flow direction even if only a very small main flow is present and a means for changing the cross-sectional constriction with its sealing surface substantially sealing against a counter surface at the cross-sectional constriction is applied.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a movable throttle element is provided, which is movable relative to the cross-sectional constriction and is held by a guide element which is inserted into a main flow leading pipe. By such a throttle element, the effective flow cross-section in the flow line and thus the volume flow conditions between the main flow and the annular flow can be changed.

In a preferred embodiment of the drinking or service water fitting according to the invention, the dimension of the guide element and / or the throttle element due to the change in length due to the temperature is variable so that due to the position of the throttle element, the volume flow of the ring flow increases at the expense of the volume flow of the main flow. To achieve such a preferred embodiment, the guide element and / or the throttle element are made of a material which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which leads within the conceivable temperature differences to a sufficient change in length such that a significant change in the pressure difference in the region of the cross-sectional constriction can be effected. In conceivable embodiments, bimetals or materials with memory effect in the guide element or the throttle element may be installed, which optionally cause a sufficient change in the effective length of the guide element and the throttle element via mechanical reinforcing elements. With the concept of Effective change in length is intended to be based on the fact that the temperature-induced change in length of the guide element and / or throttle element is significant and useful only insofar as it leads to a change in the pressure difference.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a biasing means is provided which separates the throttle element from the guide element and which is arranged such that it is acted on by the annular flow flowing through the threading opening and its restoring force can be changed on account of the temperature of the annular flow. Conceivable embodiments of such a biasing means include, for example, springs made of plastic, which are stiffer in the case of a hot water system and when exposed to a relatively cold annular flow and thus cause a higher biasing force than when exposed to warm water, in which the spring element is relatively soft. It is also possible to use plastics with memory capability for forming the throttle element and / or the guide element and / or the biasing means, which take different forms within the conceivable temperature values due to temperature, wherein this temperature-induced deformation can be used to change the flow resistance.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Thereafter, a fitting housing is preferably provided, which forms the Einfädelöffnung and the Ausfädelöffnung and connections for the supply line and receives an insert in it, which forms the guide element and the cross-sectional constriction.

Furthermore, an embodiment is preferred in which at the cross-sectional constriction adjacent throttle element leakage flow through the strand is possible.

Particularly preferably, the throttle element is held in an initial position in the region of the cross-sectional constriction to form a leakage flow gap.

Further preferably, the cross-sectional constriction is formed by a cone. Here, the throttle element forms a cone counter surface, which cooperates with a conical surface of the cone. The throttle element is preferably held by a spring element in the starting position.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the means for changing the volume flow conditions comprises a guide element which holds the throttle element movable. This guide element and the throttle element are preferably formed coaxially with each other. The longitudinal axis of the guide element and the longitudinal axis of the throttle element are preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of the strand.

In a preferred embodiment of the drinking or domestic water system according to the invention locking means are provided on the outer periphery of the insert, with which the insert part are held in a the inlet and outlet openings and the intermediate Einfädelöffnung forming fitting housing of the connection fitting. In this development, the locking means is preferably formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart of the insert part locking lugs. On the inner circumferential surface of the fitting housing locking grooves are preferably formed in this development, in which engage the locking lugs.

According to a preferred development, the guide element extends in the region of the threading opening and has on its outer wall at least one ring line flow passage penetrating the guide element.

Further preferably, the throttle element has a continuous bore extending in its longitudinal direction, through which an inner tube of a tube-in-tube circulation line is feasible. In this case, the throttle element is preferably guided displaceably on the inner tube.

Finally, it is preferable to form the insert on at least one of its front ends with a plurality of the outer peripheral surface of the insert part predetermining and extending in the axial direction supporting webs whose respective ends are funnel-shaped.

Figur 1

eine Längsschnittansicht einer Anschlussarmatur zum Anschluss an eine Ver- sorgungsleitung und eine Ringleitung;

Figur 2

das in Figur 1 eingekreiste Detail C in vergrößerter Darstellung;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Einsatzteiles des Ausführungsbeispiels mit dem Strömungseingang in der Ausgangsstellung des Drosselelementes;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht gemäß Fig. 2 in der voll geöffneten Stel- lung des Einsatzteiles und

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Einsatzteiles mit dem Strömungsausgang.

The present invention will be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In this show:

FIG. 1

a longitudinal sectional view of a connection fitting for connection to a supply line and a ring line;

FIG. 2

this in FIG. 1 circled detail C in an enlarged view;

FIG. 3

a perspective view of an insert part of the embodiment with the flow input in the initial position of the throttle element;

FIG. 4

a perspective side view according to Fig. 2 in the fully open position of the insert and

FIG. 5

a side perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown insert with the flow outlet.

The FIGS. 1 to 2 show an insert 2, which may be formed of metal or plastic and which is formed with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface substantially corresponding to a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of a valve body 4. The in FIG. 1 drawn arrow H illustrates the flow direction of a flowing through a dashed lines supply line 1 main stream. A flowing through a ring, not shown ring flow ring is marked with reference R.

As the FIGS. 3 to 5 can be seen, at the front end in the flow direction of the insert part 2 a plurality of circumferentially distributed webs 6 are provided, which continue the cylindrical outer peripheral surface and are funnel-shaped inwardly directed at its free end. A corresponding embodiment also has the end remote from the flow. There, the webs are marked with reference numeral 8.

This area of the insert part 2 forms a guide element 10 for a throttle element 12. Between the front webs 6 and the rear webs 8, the insert part 2 a ring portion 14, the inner peripheral surface of which forms a conical surface 16 which cooperates with a conical surface 18 of the throttle element 12. In the sectional view of Figures 1 and 2 For example, a nozzle cross-section formed by the ring section, which forms a cross-sectional constriction V with respect to the main flow H, is projected radially inwardly from the webs 6. In other words, the nozzle has at its narrowest point a larger diameter than the inwardly drawn webs 6, which form a stop for the throttle element 1.

In the area of the rear end of the annular portion 14 in the flow direction, a plurality of locking lugs 20 are formed on the outer peripheral surface, which engage in locking grooves 22, which are recessed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 4. downstream the latching lugs 20 and held by each second of the rear webs 8, a ring 24 is provided, which comprises the throttle element 12 and circumferentially leads, and forms a support surface 26 for a spring element 28 which extends between this ring 24 and an annular surface 30 of the throttle element 12th extends, which adjoins in the flow direction immediately behind the conical mating surface 18 of the throttle element 12.

The tapered inwardly tapered free ends of the webs 6, 8 form in the embodiment shown a funnel-shaped opening, the penetration of a in the FIGS. 4 and 5 shown inner tube 32 of an inliner facilitates. This funnel-shaped opening has a diameter approximately corresponding to the outer diameter of the inner tube 32. The inner diameter of the nozzle at its narrowest point is about 15 to 25% larger than the diameter of the funnel-shaped opening.

The inner tube 32 passes through a central bore of the throttle element 12. This is presently guided by the inner peripheral surface of the ring 24 and in the flow direction S adjoining webs. Selected webs can engage in axial grooves, which can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the throttle element 12, whereby an anti-rotation of the throttle element 12 is formed.

Like that Figures 1 and 2 can be seen, is the insert part 2 with its guide element 10 in the region of a threading 34 of a ring line, not shown, the upstream of the insert part 2 with a Ausfädelöffnung 36 from the supply line, to one or more consumers, such as a wet room in a hotel leads, and is returned in the area of the connection fitting in the supply line. The circumferentially spaced rear lands 8 thus form a ring flow passage 38 through which the ring flow can flow radially inwardly to unite with the main flow H. The main flow H is understood to mean the flow in the supply line between the discharge opening 36 and the threading opening 34.

In a starting position, in which the conical mating surface 18 of the throttle element 12 abuts against the conical surface 16 of the cylindrical portion 14, a leakage flow gap remains between the adjacent conical surfaces 16, 18, so that at a pressure difference acting over the maximum cross-sectional constriction even with adjoining conical surfaces 16, 18 a certain leakage flow L is possible. However, the cross-sectional constriction V can also be such that with minimum pressure difference, the main flow H is cut off and the remaining volume flow flows solely through the loop.

With increasing pressure difference across the cross-sectional constriction, the throttle element 14 is urged against the force of the spring element 28 in the flow direction to the rear. As a result, the cross-sectional constriction V is increased until the throttle element abuts against the front end of the guide formed by the guide 10. This is in the present case formed by hook-shaped radial projections 40 of the rear webs 8.

In the embodiment shown, the annular flow R sweeps over the spring element 28 in the region of the threading opening. In the area of the spring element 28, an intermixing of water of the main flow with water of the ring flow R results in an effective ring flow. It is assumed that this is a Hot water system is and that the ring flow is insufficient to keep the temperature of the ring flow at a sufficiently high level. Nevertheless, the ring volume flow in such a case is greater than the main volume flow. This leads to a relatively cold annular flow, which is mixed in the region of the threading 34 with the main flow H. Due to this lower temperature, the rigidity of the spring element 28 increases. The spring thus shows a higher spring force, which leads to an increased position of the throttle element 12 in the direction of the annular portion 14, which causes the cross-sectional constriction. As a result, the throttle function is increased by the throttle element 12. This results in an increasing volume flow through the ring line R at the expense of the main flow H. As a result, the loop is flushed through more and the temperature rises in the loop.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. Thus, the portion of the throttle element 12 facing away from the ring portion 14 may be guided in a substantially closed sleeve, in which a spring element is arranged and which carries the respective webs 8 for the radial support of the insert part 12. The interior of the sleeve may be open laterally to the threading opening 34, so that the interior of the sleeve is only flowed through by the annular flow, whereas the main flow H flows past the outside of the sleeve. In this way it is achieved that the spring element located in the sleeve alone in terms of its material properties and in particular its spring force depends on the temperature of the water in the loop.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to an application with an internal circulation pipe. On such a return line can be completely dispensed with for the realization of the present invention. Thus, the supply line may be provided at its end with a purge line of smaller diameter, which can be actuated via a motor-operated valve to dissipate stagnant water in the supply line. To implement the invention, in particular, each in the DE 10 2006 017 807 described drinking and service water system. There are disclosed different configurations of corresponding systems with ring conduits and valves for dividing the flow, to guide a partial flow through a loop and the remaining main flow through a supply line or a strand. As means for changing the volume flow conditions and those can be used, as in the going back to the present applicant DE 20 2008 003 044 are disclosed, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in this application and which in particular discloses means by which a loop can be flowed through even in a change of the flow direction in the strand or the supply line.

In FIG. 1 For example, some measuring points M1 and M2 are shown. At these measuring points, for example, a measuring sensor can be arranged, which measures the actual temperature of the water at this point. The temperature sensor M1 measures only the temperature of the water in the loop. A temperature sensor located at M2 measures a temperature of the water mixture consisting of the main flow H and the ring flow R. A temperature sensor provided at M1 or M2 is preferably coupled to a control device. There, the measurement signal of the temperature sensor is evaluated and compared with a setpoint of the temperature of the main flow. In the case of a hot water system, this is the set circulation temperature with possible need for hot water. By comparing this temperature with the measured temperature, a temperature difference is determined which can be used for the position of the throttle element 12. The throttle element is assigned in this case controlled by the control device actuating means.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

supply line

2

insert

4

fitting housing

6

Stege

8th

Stege

10

guide element

12

throttle element

14

ring section

16

conical surface

18

Cone counter surface

20

locking lugs

22

locking grooves

24

ring

26

support surface

28

spring element

30

ring surface

32

inner tube

34

threading aperture

36

Ausfädelöffnung

38

Loop flow passage

40

radial projections of the webs 8

H

mainstream

R

annular flow

V

Cross-sectional narrowing

M1

Temperature measurement point

M2

Temperature measurement point

Claims (15)

Drinking water or service water system with a transfer point from a public supply network and at least one supply line (V) for the supply of water and at least one leading to at least one consumer ring line via a Ausfädelöffnung (36) and a threading opening (34) to the supply line ( 1) is connected, wherein between the Ausfädelöffnung (36) and the Einfädelöffnung (34) in the supply line (1) a cross-sectional constriction (V) is provided, so that at a volume flow in the supply line (1) in the loop an annular flow (R ) is effected
marked by
Means for changing the volume flow ratio between the annular flow (R) and a main flow (H) flowing through the supply line (1) between the discharge port (36) and the threading port (34), in dependence on the temperature of the ring flow (R). Drinking or process water system according to claim 1, characterized by at least one temperature sensor, which determines the temperature of the guided in the ring line (R) water and an adjusting element for changing the flow resistance of the main flow (H) and / or the volume flow (R), which in Dependent on the temperature is adjustable. Drinking or process water system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a means for varying the passage area of the cross-sectional constriction (V) as a function of the temperature and
in that the means for varying the passage area of the cross-sectional constriction (V) is controlled by an expansion element exposed to the temperature of the annular flow and coupled to the means for varying the passage area of the cross-sectional constriction (V). Drinking or process water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a movable throttle element (12) which is held relative to the cross-sectional constriction (V) in a guide element (10) which inserted into a main flow (H) leading tube (4) is. Drinking or process water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a throttle element (12) of the guide element (10) spaced biasing means (28) which is arranged such that it flows from the through the Einfädelöffnung (34) ring flow (R) is acted upon and whose restoring force is variable due to the acting water temperature. Drinking or service water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fitting housing (4) is provided, which forms the threading opening (34) and the Ausfädelöffnung (36) and connections for the supply line (1) and an insert part (2) in absorbs, which forms the guide element (10) and the cross-sectional constriction (V). Drinking or process water system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that at the cross-sectional constriction (V) adjacent the throttle element (12) a leakage flow (L) through the strand is possible. Drinking or service water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle element (12) is held in an initial position in the region of the cross-sectional constriction (V) to form a leakage flow gap. Drinking or process water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-sectional constriction (L) is formed by a cone and that the throttle element (12) forms a conical surface (18) which cooperates with a conical surface (16) of the cone. Drinking or process water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle element (12) by a spring element (28) is held in the starting position. Drinking or service water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means comprises a guide element (10) which holds the throttle element (12) movable. Drinking or service water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the outer periphery of the insert part (2) locking means (20) are provided, with which the insert part (2) in a the inlet and outlet openings and the intermediate threading opening (34) forming the valve housing (4) of the connection fitting are held. Drinking or process water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (10) extends in the region of the threading opening (34) and on its outer wall at least one of the guide element (10) passing through the ring line flow passage (38). Drinking or service water system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle element (12) has a through hole extending in its longitudinal direction, through which an inner tube (32) of a pipe-in-pipe circulation line is feasible. Drinking or service water system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the insert part (2) on at least one of its front ends a plurality of the outer peripheral surface of the insert part (2) predetermining and extending in the axial direction supporting webs (6, 8), whose respective Ends are funnel-shaped.

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