Device for volume change compensation for fluids

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for volume change compensation for fluids, in particular liquids, comprising a container having a base, an inlet and an outlet, and at least one expansion element which is arranged in the container and is fluidically connected to the inlet and the outlet, at least one elastic element being arranged, the elastic element cooperates with the base on one side and is cooperatively connected with the expansion element on the other side, so that a pushing force or a pulling force can be provided for the expansion element by means of the elastic element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for compensating for volume changes in fluids, in particular liquids, comprising a container with a bottom, an inlet and an outlet, and at least one expansion element arranged in the container and fluidically connected to the inlet and the outlet.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a fluid supply system comprising at least one device for compensating for volume changes of a fluid, in particular a liquid, and a processing device fluidically connected to the device for compensating for volume changes of a fluid, in particular a liquid.

[0003] The invention further relates to a sanitary fitting system comprising a sanitary fitting that is fluidically connected to at least one fluid supply system, in particular a hot water supply system. Background Art

[0004] Although the present invention is generally applicable to any fluid, the invention will be explained with reference to hot water.

[0005] When water is heated to provide hot water, for example in a boiler, it expands and can lead to unacceptably high pressures in the boiler. To address this, safety valves were invented. When the pressure increases, the valve discharges a corresponding amount of water to keep the pressure in the boiler below a preset limit.

[0006] One disadvantage is the complicated transfer process. If hot water is present in the sanitary area, the safety valve must be connected to a drain to remove any water that leaks from the safety valve. Another disadvantage is water loss. Because water continuously flows through the safety valve during the heating process, a higher energy input is required to generate hot water in the boiler.

[0007] To address this problem, WO 2009 / 151321 A2 discloses a water heater comprising a hot water tank, an inlet pipe for connection to a public water network, and an outlet pipe connected to a faucet. The hot water tank has a surrounding wall enclosing an interior cavity and is equipped with a heating element. The outer peripheral wall of the tank includes a dust cap-like portion that is deformable under pressure, allowing expansion and contraction. The dust cap-like portion of the tank wall is surrounded by an air chamber containing pressurized gas that compensates for the expansion of the tank.

[0008] A disadvantage here is that the structure is complicated because the gas volume is sealed and a circumferential groove is required in the container wall to serve as a stop for the movement of the dust cap-like component.

[0009] Other devices are known from DE 92 01 768 U1 and DE 196 49 637 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for compensating for volume changes of fluids, in particular liquids, a fluid supply system and a sanitary fitting system which have a simpler and more economical structure and also provide reliable compensation for volume changes of the fluid.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative device for compensating for volume changes in fluids, in particular liquids, an alternative fluid supply system and an alternative sanitary fitting system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned purpose through a device for compensating for volume changes of a fluid, in particular a liquid, which device includes a container with a bottom, an inlet and an outlet, and at least one expansion element, which is arranged in the container and fluidically connected to the inlet and outlet, wherein at least one elastic element is arranged, which is connected to the bottom on the one hand and to the expansion element on the other hand in a matching manner, so that a pushing force or a pulling force can be provided to the expansion element, in particular directly, with the help of the elastic element.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above object by a fluid supply system comprising at least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a processing device fluidically connected to the device.

[0014] In one embodiment, the invention achieves the above object with a sanitary fitting system comprising at least one sanitary fitting according to any one of claims 11 to 17 that is fluidically connected to a fluid supply system, in particular a hot water supply system.

[0015] One advantage achieved thereby is a simple and cost-effective design, which reduces production costs. Another advantage is a reliable and, if necessary, adaptable compensation for volume changes in the fluid.

[0016] Other features, advantages and other embodiments of the present invention are described below or disclosed thereby.

[0017] According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least one elastic element is designed as a spring element, in particular as a helical spring. This makes it possible to provide an inexpensive elastic element.

[0018] According to another advantageous improvement of the present invention, a unique elastic element is arranged, which is particularly arranged centrally in the container. The advantage is that sufficient, particularly reliable pulling or pushing forces can be provided by the unique elastic element, thereby simplifying the structure as a whole.

[0019] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the base and / or the expansion element has a centering element for centering the at least one elastic element on the base and / or the expansion element. One of the advantages achieved is a secure arrangement of the elastic element and thus a more reliable operation of the device.

[0020] According to another advantageous development of the present invention, at least one elastic element is arranged in the container in a replaceable manner. This has the advantage that the device is easy to maintain.

[0021] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the base has an opening that can be closed by means of a cover. In particular, the cover has at least one opening. This eliminates the need for the cover itself to completely close the opening, but rather allows the cover itself to have an opening or passage. Overall, this makes the device particularly easy to maintain.

[0022] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the centering element of the bottom is arranged on the cover, in particular connected integrally therewith. One of the advantages achieved is easy access to the elastic element and easy manufacture of the cover and the centering element.

[0023] According to another advantageous development of the invention, at least one expansion element is arranged in the container below the non-expandable region of the container or below an inner container located in the container. This has the advantage of a cost-effective design, since not the entire region of the container needs to be loaded by the expansion element.

[0024] According to another advantageous development of the invention, in the container, at least one expansion element is arranged above the inner container. This has the advantage of a cost-effective and stable structure.

[0025] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the expansion element is designed in the form of a bellows. One of the advantages achieved is that the expansion element can be provided cost-effectively.

[0026] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least one treatment device is arranged downstream of the device. This allows for reliable compensation of volume changes upstream of the water outlet, for example a sanitary fitting.

[0027] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the fluid path downstream of the device is designed without a backflow check. This enables reliable compensation of volume changes.

[0028] According to another advantageous development of the invention, at least two devices are arranged, in particular, at least two devices are arranged one behind the other with respect to the fluid. This allows for a smaller installation space for the individual devices while maintaining the same overall volume change compensation.

[0029] According to another advantageous refinement of the invention, the inlet and outlet of the device are connected to the outlet and inlet of the treatment device. This increases the flexibility of the device, as the device can be connected to the corresponding fluid inlet or outlet of the treatment device. If, for example, a boiler is retrofitted, the volume change compensation solution can also be easily retrofitted.

[0030] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least one device and the processing device are arranged in a common housing. This enables an integrated and space-saving arrangement of the device and the processing device.

[0031] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the housing comprises an insulating material, in particular a stretchable polypropylene. One of the advantages achieved is thermal and / or acoustic insulation, thereby reducing energy consumption and increasing user satisfaction.

[0032] Further important features and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Of course, the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Preferred exemplary embodiments and implementations of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals designate identical or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

[0035] Here, in a schematic way:

[0036] Figure 1 A device for compensating for volume changes in a fluid according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 2 A device for compensating for volume changes in a fluid according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 3 A sanitary fitting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a sanitary fitting system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] Figure 5 A sanitary fitting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] exist Figure 1 Detailed Description of the Invention A device 1 for compensating for volume changes in water is shown.

[0042] The device 1 comprises a container 2 having an inlet 1a and an outlet 1b. The two openings 1a, 1b are arranged in an upper region 2' of the container 2. This area 2' does not have an expansion element, while a bellows or a dust cover 3 is arranged as an expansion element in the area below the area 2' (area 2") . The dust cover 3 is fluidically connected to the upper area 2' of the container 2 in its upper area and fixed to the upper area of ​​the container; in the lower area of ​​the dust cover 3, the dust cover is fluidically closed with the bottom 3a. Protrusions, hanging holes 6a, etc. are arranged on the lower side of the bottom 3a, on which a coil spring 4 is supported. The coil spring 4 is supported on the side of the bottom 2a of the container 2 opposite to the dust cover 3. The bottom 2a of the container 2 has an opening (not shown), which can be closed with a spiral insert 5. Hanging holes 6b, protrusions, etc. are also constructed on the spiral insert 5, and the coil spring 4 is supported on the hanging holes 6b, protrusions, etc. Therefore, the coil spring 4 can exert a pushing force or a pulling force on the dust cover according to the expansion of the dust cover 3.

[0043] exist Figure 2 Detailed Description of the Invention A device 1 for compensating for volume changes in water is shown.

[0044] The device 1 comprises a container 2 having an inlet 1a and an outlet 1b. The two openings 1a, 1b are arranged in the upper region 2' of the container 2. This region 2' has an expansion element in the form of a dust cover 3, which is connected to the container 2 in its upper region 3'. The dust cover 3 has a molded flange 22 in the upper region 3', which is connected to the lid 2b of the container 2 by a positive connection and / or a force connection (for example a screw connection or a rivet connection) and / or a material connection (for example a weld connection). In the region below the region 2' (region 2"), a particularly deep-drawn container 8 is arranged. The container 8, which is designed to be non-expandable, is fluidically connected to the open lower region 3" of the dust cover 3 at its opening 9 by means of a weld seam 7 and is fixed to the lower region of the dust cover. The container 8 has a bottom 8a. On the underside of the bottom 8a, similar to Figure 1 In the embodiment, a protrusion, a hanging eyelet, etc. can be arranged, on which the coil spring 4 can be supported. The coil spring 4 is supported on the bottom 2a of the container 2 on the side opposite to the container bottom 8a. Figure 1 Similar to the embodiment of the present invention, the bottom 2a of the container 2 may have an opening (not shown) which can be closed by a screw plug. Figure 1 Similarly to the embodiment of the present invention, a hanging hole, a protrusion, etc. can also be formed on the spiral insert, and the spiral spring 4 is supported on the spiral insert. Therefore, the spiral spring 4 can indirectly apply a pushing force or a pulling force to the dust cover through the container 8 according to the expansion of the dust cover 3.

[0045] Figure 3A sanitary fitting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0046] Figure 3 A sanitary fitting system 200 is shown, which includes sanitary fittings 15 connected to a hot water system 100 for its output. The hot water system 100 is constructed as follows. Starting from a water supply connection 20, such as a domestic water connection, water flows downstream through a backflow check 21 via an inlet 1a into a device 1 for volume change compensation and then, via an outlet 1b of the device, into an inlet 10b of a hot water supply 10 having a boiler 11. The inlet 11a of the boiler 11 is fluidically connected to the outlet 11b. No backflow check is provided between the device 1 and the hot water supply 10. The boiler 11 is surrounded by insulating material 10a within the hot water supply 10 for thermal insulation. The boiler 11 also includes a heating device (not shown) to provide hot water at a temperature above 90°C, particularly above 95°C, to the sanitary fixture 15. When the water in the boiler 11 is heated, the water expands, forcing it from the boiler 11 into the device 1, increasing the volume of the dust cover 3. When the water in the boiler 11 cools down, the spring force of the spring 4 in the device 1 pushes the water back into the boiler 11 .

[0047] Figure 4 A sanitary fitting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0048] exist Figure 4 The main points are shown in Figure 2 Sanitary fitting system 200. Figure 3 The sanitary fitting system 200 is compared according to Figure 4 The sanitary fitting system 200 is now first connected to the inlet 10b of the hot water supply 10 via the backflow check 21, rather than being directly connected to the water supply connection 20. Furthermore, the hot water supply 10 now includes a flow guide that directs the water provided at the inlet 10b back to the outside via the connection 10c. This connection 10c is used to fluidically connect the device 1 to its inlet 1a. The outlet 1b of the device 1 is then further connected to the inlet 10d of the hot water supply 10, which is in turn fluidically connected to the inlet 11a of the boiler 11. In this way, the device 1 can be directly connected to the hot water supply 10, while the hot water supply 10 is also directly connected to the water supply connection 20.

[0049] Figure 5 A sanitary fitting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0050] exist Figure 5 In the paper, it is mainly shown that Figure 3 The sanitary fitting system 200. Figure 3Compared to the sanitary fitting system 200 of FIG. 1 , four devices 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 arranged one behind the other for the fluid and the boiler 11 are now shown, which are arranged in a common rectangular housing of the hot water supply device 10. Here, the devices 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, which are circular in cross section, are arranged in the corners of the housing.

[0051] Insulating material 10a is arranged within the housing for thermal insulation. Here, the first device 1-1 is fluidically connected to an inlet 10b, which is connected downstream to a water supply connection 20 via a backflow check 21. The outlet of device 1-4 is fluidically connected to the inlet (not shown) of boiler 11, and the outlet (not shown) of boiler 11 is fluidically connected to a sanitary fitting 15. When the water in boiler 11 heats, it is first pushed into device 1-4, and then, if necessary, further into devices 1-3, 1-2, and 1-1. When the water in boiler 11 cools, excess water is pushed back into boiler 11 by the pressure acting on the corresponding bellows or dust caps 3 in devices 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4.

[0052] In summary, at least one embodiment of the present invention may have at least one of the following features and / or provide at least one of the following advantages:

[0053] Reliable, automatic volume compensation.

[0054] Simple structure and reduced complexity.

[0055] Scalability in terms of possible volumes requiring compensation.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described using the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto but can be modified in various ways.

[0057] Reference Signs List

[0058] 1. 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 devices

[0059] Entrance 1a

[0060] 1b Exit

[0061] 2 containers

[0062] 2' Upper area of ​​the container

[0063] Lower area of ​​2" container

[0064] 2a bottom

[0065] 2b cover

[0066] 3 bellows / dust cover

[0067] 3' upper region

[0068] 3” lower area

[0069] 3a bottom

[0070] 4 coil springs

[0071] 5 spiral inserts

[0072] 6a, 6b hanging holes

[0073] 7 Welds

[0074] 8Deep drawn containers

[0075] 8a bottom

[0076] 9 openings

[0077] 10Hot water supply device

[0078] 10a Insulation materials

[0079] Entrance 10b

[0080] Exit 10c

[0081] 10d entrance

[0082] 11 Boiler

[0083] Entrance 11a

[0084] Exit 11b

[0085] 15 sanitary accessories

[0086] 20 Water supply connector

[0087] 21 Backflow preventer

[0088] 22 Flange of dust cover

[0089] 100 hot water system

[0090] 200 sanitary accessories system

Claims

1. A device (1) for compensating for volume changes in a fluid, in particular a liquid, comprising: a container (2) having a bottom (2a); Inlet (1a) and outlet (1b); as well as at least one expansion element (3) which is arranged in the container (2) and is fluidically connected to the inlet (1a) and the outlet (1b), It is characterized by: At least one elastic element (4) is arranged, which is connected to the bottom (2a) in a matching manner on the one hand and to the expansion element (3) in a matching manner on the other hand, so that a pushing force or a pulling force can be provided to the expansion element (3) by means of the elastic element (4), in particular directly.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one elastic element (4) is designed as a spring element, in particular in the form of a helical spring.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A single elastic element (4) is arranged, in particular centrally in the container (2).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The bottom (2a) and / or the expansion element (3) have centering elements (6a, 6b) for centering at least one elastic element (4) on the bottom (2a) and / or the expansion element (3).

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The at least one elastic element (4) is arranged in a replaceable manner in the container (2).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The bottom (2a) has an opening that can be closed by means of a cover (5), in particular the cover (5) has at least one opening.

7. Device (1) according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that The centering element (6b) of the bottom (2a) is arranged on the cover (5), in particular is connected integrally with the cover (5).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that In the container (2), the at least one expansion element (3) is arranged below a non-expandable region (2') of the container (2) or below an inner container (8) located in the container (2).

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that In the container (2), the at least one expansion element (3) is arranged above the inner container (8).

10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The expansion element (3) is designed in the form of a bellows.

11. A fluid supply system (100), comprising: at least one device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and A processing device (11) is fluidically connected to the device (1).

12. The fluid supply system (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that At least one treatment device (11) is arranged downstream of the device (1).

13. The fluid supply system (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that: The fluid path downstream of the device (1) is designed without a backflow check.

14. The fluid supply system (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: At least two devices (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4) are arranged, in particular, the at least two devices (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4) are arranged one behind the other with respect to the fluid.

15. The fluid supply system (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that: The inlet (1a) and outlet (1b) of the device (1) are connected to the outlet (10b) and inlet (10c) for the treatment device (11).

16. The fluid supply system (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that: At least one device (1) and a processing device (11) are arranged in a common housing (10).

17. The fluid supply system (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that The housing (10) comprises an insulating material (10a), in particular extensible polypropylene.

18. A sanitary fitting system (200), comprising a sanitary fitting (15), which is fluidically connected to at least one fluid supply system (100), in particular a hot water supply system, according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

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