Actuating valve device, flow regulator and heating / domestic hot water system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control valve device of a flow rate regulator of a domestic hot water circuit of a heating-domestic hot water system with a domestic hot water control piston that can be controlled by a domestic hot water volume flow and with a working cylinder for actuating the domestic hot water control piston, in which a separating element is arranged within the working cylinder in order to spatially separate a working space within the working cylinder that is fluidically connected to the domestic hot water circuit.

[0002] The invention further relates to a flow rate controller with control valve devices for regulating fluid volume flows of a heating-domestic hot water system.

[0003] The invention also relates to a heating-domestic hot water system for heating domestic hot water with a flow rate controller for regulating a heating water flow rate depending on a domestic hot water flow rate requested at at least one tap.

[0004] Typical control valve devices or related flow rate controllers for a heating / domestic hot water system are already well known from the state of the art.

[0005] With the help of such control valve devices, in particular domestic hot water flow rates are measured and adjusted or regulated in a heating-domestic hot water system, so that, by means of appropriately equipped flow rate controllers, a corresponding quantity of a heating medium is provided to a heat exchanger to heat this domestic hot water, depending on a quantity of hot domestic hot water requested at a tap, in order to heat the domestic hot water flowing through the heat exchanger to a sufficient degree in a reliable manner.

[0006] A generic flow rate controller with a control valve device operating in accordance with the invention is described by way of example in DE 20 2008 006 054 U1, in which an improved sealing arrangement for the fluidic separation of a domestic hot water flow path and a heating medium flow path is proposed with regard to the flow rate controller.

[0007] Document DE 20209476 U1 shows a control valve device with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of further developing generic control valve devices, particularly for flow rate controllers in heating and domestic hot water systems. In particular, the invention aims to reduce, and ideally completely eliminate, the risk of microbial contamination of the domestic hot water in the domestic hot water circuit by means of generic control valve devices.

[0009] These problems of the invention are solved by a control valve device of a flow rate regulator of a domestic hot water circuit of a heating-domestic hot water system with a domestic hot water control piston that can be controlled by a domestic hot water volume flow and with a working cylinder for actuating the domestic hot water control piston, which has the features of claim 1.

[0010] This allows the working space, which is fluidically connected to the service water circuit, to be flushed significantly better when the control valve device is active, thereby significantly reducing the risk of bacterial contamination of the service water at the control valve device.

[0011] In a compact flow controller for regulating fluid volume flows in a heating-domestic hot water system, the domestic hot water control piston is typically connected to a heating water control piston, so that a heating water volume flow of a heating water circuit-side, further control valve device of the flow controller can be regulated depending on the domestic hot water volume flow flowing through the domestic hot water circuit-side control valve device.

[0012] A rigidly designed actuating element is usually provided to connect the two control pistons, through which the working cylinder then also interacts with the heating water control piston.

[0013] Therefore, the present control valve device preferably also includes such an actuating element for actuating the heating water control piston depending on a control of the domestic hot water control piston.

[0014] It should also be mentioned here that the terms "control" and "regulate" are used synonymously in the context of the invention.

[0015] Preferably, the working cylinder includes a mechanical return element for returning the domestic water control piston from a control position to its rest position, wherein the return element is then housed in a return element receiving chamber of the working cylinder, as will be described in more detail later.

[0016] According to the invention, the working space is reduced by more than 90%, preferably more than 95%, compared to its initial volume in the rest position of the domestic water control piston when the domestic water control piston is moved into its maximum control position in accordance with its axial displacement direction.

[0017] By significantly reducing the working space of the working cylinder, which is fluidically connected to the service water channel, the risk of contamination can be reduced particularly effectively.

[0018] Therefore, it is also advantageous if the dead space between the working cylinder housing and the separating element has a dead space volume which is less than 10% or less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, of the working space outlet volume in the rest position of the domestic water control piston.

[0019] The desired reduction of this working space, which is fluidically connected to the domestic water circuit, is achieved in a structurally simple way by making the entire separating element movable together with the domestic water control piston.

[0020] This design ensures that the separating element is so rigid that all areas of the separating element can be accelerated by an axial displacement of the domestic water control piston. In other words, this means that when the domestic water control piston is displaced, all areas of the separating element can be accelerated simultaneously and, in particular, uniformly.

[0021] In order to be completely movable within the working cylinder, the separating element must be loosely arranged relative to the working cylinder housing, particularly the cylinder liner. In this case, the separating element is not fixedly connected to the working cylinder housing at any point. To achieve this, the invention provides that the separating element is designed to be completely rigid.

[0022] Since the separating element is designed to be completely self-rigid, it can also be made very pressure-resistant, and process water located in the return element receiving chamber can be flushed out particularly effectively by relocating the process water control piston, or vice versa.

[0023] It is understood that the working space fluidically connected to the domestic water circuit can be designed differently in order to be able to control the domestic water control piston depending on a domestic water volume flow within a domestic water channel of the control valve device.

[0024] If this receiving space is also a return element receiving space, in which a return element for returning the domestic water piston to its rest position is located, the control valve device can be built even more compactly.

[0025] It is therefore advantageous that the movable separating element reduces the return element receiving space as much as possible when the domestic water control piston is moved into its maximum control position according to its axial displacement direction, thereby minimizing a dead space between a working cylinder housing and the separating element within this return element.

[0026] Because the dead space between the domestic water control piston, or in particular the separating element, and a boundary or outer wall, especially of the domestic water control piston receiving space, can ideally be minimized, a domestic water reservoir located in this domestic water control piston receiving space is almost completely flushed out when the domestic water control piston moves into a control position with maximum deflection.

[0027] In any case, only a very small amount of residual water remains in the remaining dead space, which mixes with the freshly flowing process water after the service water control piston is moved back to its starting position.

[0028] Therefore, the domestic hot water control piston receiving chamber is flushed out as thoroughly as possible with each actuation of the domestic hot water control piston or the flow rate regulator, thus virtually eliminating the risk of bacterial growth on the control valve assembly.

[0029] For this purpose, the reset element receiving chamber is fluidically connected to the service water circuit by means of at least one connecting line, so that fresh service water can enter the working cylinder from the service water flow and vice versa.

[0030] The domestic water control piston receiving space is reduced by more than 90%, preferably more than 95%, of its maximum volume when the domestic water control piston is maximally deflected.

[0031] The domestic water control piston receiving chamber has its maximum volume when the domestic water control piston is in its rest position, i.e., when no domestic water flow passes through the control valve device.

[0032] Conversely, this means that the dead space has a maximum dead space volume which is at most 10% or 5%, or less, of the maximum volume of the domestic water control piston intake space.

[0033] In contrast to conventional separation elements, such as membrane elements, the present separation element is rigidly designed.

[0034] In particular, the domestic water control piston receiving chamber can be significantly reduced in size in a very simple design if the separating element has a circumferential outer collar that can be at least partially immersed in a recess on the working cylinder housing side between a return element retaining bridge on the working cylinder housing side and a circumferential inner wall of the working cylinder housing when the domestic water control piston is in a control position, especially in its maximum control position. This also minimizes the dead space.

[0035] The separating element can be positioned particularly close to the working cylinder housing if the circumferential outer collar of the separating element is located radially further outwards, relative to the axial displacement direction, than the return element retaining bridge on the working cylinder housing side. This can also achieve a significant reduction in dead space.

[0036] If the return element retaining tab on the working cylinder housing can be at least partially inserted into the separating element when the domestic hot water control piston is in a control position, particularly its maximum control position, the separating element can be positioned even closer to the boundary or the inner wall of the domestic hot water control piston receiving chamber. This also significantly reduces the dead space.

[0037] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the separating element includes a receiving groove for receiving a return element retaining bridge on the working cylinder housing side, so that this return element retaining bridge on the working cylinder housing side can be arranged at least partially within the separating element when the domestic water control piston is in a control position, particularly in its maximum control position. This allows the separating element and the working cylinder housing to be positioned very close to each other, thus minimizing the dead space.

[0038] It is also provided that the separating element has sliding surfaces on its outer circumference, by means of which the separating element slides along inner surfaces of the working cylinder housing. This allows the separating element to rest loosely against a working cylinder running surface. Therefore, no fixed connection point between the working cylinder housing and the separating element movably arranged within it is required.

[0039] Furthermore, due to the sliding surfaces, the domestic water control piston can react particularly sensitively to different domestic water volume flows that flow through the control valve device.

[0040] It is understood that a housing part of the control valve device or inner surfaces of the working cylinder housing comprise sliding surfaces complementary to the sliding surfaces on the separating element.

[0041] The domestic water control piston or its separating element can be sealed against the working cylinder housing by suitable sealing elements, such as an O-ring seal or the like, so that no liquid can flow past the separating element laterally.

[0042] Particularly high sealing reliability can be achieved at the separating element if the separating element incorporates an X-ring seal or a quad-ring seal. Using such a sealing element, two closely spaced sealing planes can be realized even in the tightest installation spaces.

[0043] These types of seals typically include at least one support ring, which in this case can further improve the guiding behavior of the separating element within the control valve assembly.

[0044] A corresponding sealing element can be easily arranged on the domestic water control piston if it is positioned in a circumferential groove provided in the separating element.

[0045] Furthermore, it has proven extremely useful if at least some surfaces, in particular water contact surfaces, sliding surfaces or the like, of components of the

[0046] Control valve assembly, such as the separating element, inner surfaces of the working cylinder housing or the like, have coatings, in particular non-stick, sliding and / or corrosion coatings, such as Xylan © coatings 8110 / G0975 grey / black or similar.

[0047] Surfaces that come into contact with process water can be advantageously designed with such coatings, as this reduces the risk of contamination of the process water through abrasion or similar means. This applies particularly to areas directly exposed to process water.

[0048] Furthermore, such surfaces can be particularly well protected against unwanted adhesions and thus also against soiling.

[0049] Furthermore, this allows for a simple reduction in friction between moving components, thus improving the overall response of the control valve system.

[0050] These effects and advantages also apply specifically to other piston running surfaces of a sleeve or the like used in a housing of a control valve device.

[0051] Furthermore, the separating element in question can be made from almost any material. It is particularly easy to produce if the separating element is made from a plastic material or a compound thereof, especially polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0052] Therefore, this can further improve the response behavior of the control valve device.

[0053] Furthermore, the separating element can be equipped with very good thermal insulation properties, thus significantly reducing the risk of unwanted heating of the domestic hot water in the return element's receiving chamber. For example, this allows the return element's receiving chamber to be insulated from the heat energy inherent in the actuating element for the heating control piston, since the actuating element is often heated by heating water flowing through another control valve in a heating water circuit of the flow regulator.

[0054] The object of the invention is also solved by a flow rate controller with control valve devices for regulating fluid volume flows of a heating-domestic hot water system, wherein the flow rate controller is characterized by a control valve device according to one of the features explained here.

[0055] If a flow rate regulator is equipped with the present control valve device, it can be operated in a significantly more reliable manner, not only with regard to the risk of contamination.

[0056] The term "control valve device" describes a device with a control piston and a housing through which either domestic hot water on the domestic hot water circuit side or heating water on the heating water circuit side is guided.

[0057] In this respect, a flow rate controller is characterized by a control valve device of a domestic hot water circuit and by at least one further control valve device of a heating water circuit.

[0058] The flow rates of the respective fluid are adjusted using the control pistons.

[0059] The respective control piston sits at least partially transversely in a domestic water channel of the first control valve assembly - domestic water control piston - or in a heating water channel of the further control valve assembly - heating water control piston - in order to either completely close the respective channel or open it as required.

[0060] In this respect, the domestic hot water control piston and the heating water control piston represent measuring elements of the flow rate controller or the respective control valve device, by means of which the domestic hot water flow rate or the heating water flow rate can be measured or adjusted.

[0061] Thus, the flow rate regulator includes at least two control valve devices, namely one on the side of the domestic hot water circuit and one on the side of the heating water circuit.

[0062] The term "actuating element" refers to a guide rod element or the like, which connects a sanitary control piston of the first control valve assembly on the domestic hot water circuit side and a heating water control piston of the further control valve assembly on the heating water circuit side, so that these control pistons can preferably be moved synchronously with each other.

[0063] The object of the invention is furthermore also solved by a heating-domestic hot water system for heating domestic hot water with a flow rate controller for regulating a heating water flow rate depending on a domestic hot water flow rate requested at at least one tap, wherein the heating-domestic hot water system is characterized by the control valve device or the flow rate controller present here.

[0064] If a heating-domestic hot water system is equipped with the present flow rate regulator or with the present control valve device, the heating-domestic hot water system can be operated much more reliably, not only with regard to the risk of bacterial contamination.

[0065] Further effects and advantages of the present invention are explained with reference to the attached drawing, in which an exemplary control valve device or a related flow rate regulator and further components thereof are shown and described.

[0066] The drawing shows: Figure 1 schematically shows a longitudinal section of a first control valve assembly of a domestic hot water circuit and a further control valve assembly of a heating water circuit coupled to it to form a flow rate controller; Figure 2 schematically shows a longitudinal section of the Figure 1The first control valve assembly shown in the domestic hot water circuit, with its domestic hot water control piston in a rest position; Figure 3 schematically shows another longitudinal section view of the assembly shown in the Figure 2 The first control valve assembly shown with the domestic hot water control piston in the maximum control position; Figure 4 schematically shows a longitudinal section view of a separating element of the domestic hot water control piston located in the Figures 1 to 3 first control valve assembly shown; Figure 5 schematically a perspective view of the assembly shown in the Figure 4 shown separating element; Figure 6 schematically shows a longitudinal section view of a domestic water control element of the domestic water control piston located in the Figures 1 to 3 first control valve assembly shown; Figure 7 schematically shows a perspective view of the assembly shown in the Figure 6 domestic water control element shown; Figure 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the element, particularly in the Figure 1 flow rate regulator shown.

[0067] The one that is particularly in Figure 1 The flow regulator 1 shown is part of a heating-domestic hot water system 2 (not shown here), which is used to heat domestic hot water requested at a tap (also not shown) in a building (not shown) using heating water from a heating system.

[0068] Thus, by means of the present flow rate regulator 1, a required quantity of heating water is directed through a heat exchanger (not shown) of the heating-domestic hot water system 2, depending on the quantity of hot water requested at the tap, such that the domestic hot water is heated by the heating water. Such heat exchangers are well known in the prior art. Therefore, the heating-domestic hot water system 2 will not be described further in this respect.

[0069] In general, the flow rate controller 1 is used to control or regulate fluid volume flows 3 of the heating / domestic hot water system 2, namely a domestic hot water volume flow 3 and a heating water volume flow 4.

[0070] It should be noted once again that the terms "control" and "regulate" are used synonymously in the context of the present invention.

[0071] The flow regulator 1 is characterized by two control valve devices 5 and 6, the first control valve device 5 being integrated into a domestic hot water circuit (not explicitly shown or numbered here) of the heating / domestic hot water system 2, through which the domestic hot water flow rate 3 flows. The domestic hot water circuit is open, as domestic hot water can be drawn off at taps.

[0072] Furthermore, the flow regulator 1 is characterized by the additional control valve assembly 6, which is accordingly integrated into a heating water circuit (also not shown and explicitly numbered) of the heating / domestic hot water system 2, in which the heating water flow rate 4 is ultimately circulated. In this respect, the heating water circuit is closed.

[0073] Thus, the first control valve assembly 5 on the sanitary side (not numbered) and the further control valve assembly 6 on the heating side (not numbered) are assigned to the heating-domestic hot water system 2.

[0074] The first control valve assembly 5 has a first housing part 7 of the flow regulator 1 and the further control valve assembly 6 has a further housing part 8 of the flow regulator 1, which extend along the center line 9 of the flow regulator 1.

[0075] Both housing parts 7 and 8 are connected to each other in a housing coupling area 10; this means that the first control valve assembly 5 has a coupling side 11 to which the further housing 8 of the further control valve assembly 6 is attached. Conversely, this means that the further control valve assembly 6 has a coupling side 12 to which the first housing part 7 of the first control valve assembly 5 is attached.

[0076] Therefore, the two control valve devices 5 and 6 are firmly but detachably connected to each other in the housing coupling area 10 to form the flow rate regulator 1.

[0077] Furthermore, the flow rate regulator 1 is characterized by a domestic hot water channel 13 with respect to the first control valve device 5 and by a heating water channel 14 with respect to the further control valve device 6.

[0078] The domestic hot water channel 13 can be closed or opened by means of a domestic hot water control piston 15 of the first control valve assembly 5. The same applies to the heating water channel 14, which can be closed or opened by means of a heating water control piston 16 of the further control valve assembly 6.

[0079] The domestic water control piston 15 is axially displaced within the first control valve assembly 5 in the direction of the center line 9 in order to control the domestic water volume flow 3 which can flow through the first control valve assembly 5.

[0080] The domestic water control piston 15 represents a domestic water measuring element (not explicitly numbered) within the meaning of the invention.

[0081] The domestic hot water control piston 15 is often also referred to as a sanitary control piston in connection with a flow rate controller 1 of a heating domestic hot water system 2.

[0082] Accordingly, the further control valve assembly 6 includes a heating water control piston 16, often also referred to as a heating control piston, by means of which a heating water flow rate 4 can be regulated, which can flow through the further control valve assembly 6.

[0083] The heating water control piston 16 is a heating water measuring element (not numbered again).

[0084] The domestic hot water control piston 15 and the heating water control piston 16 are interconnected by means of a common actuating element 17 for the simultaneous actuation of both control pistons 15 and 16 of the flow rate regulator 1.

[0085] The actuating element 17 is preferably designed as a rigid guide rod element 18, as shown in this specific embodiment.

[0086] The actuating element 17, like the control pistons 15 and 16, can be axially displaced in the longitudinal direction 19 of the flow rate regulator 1 or the control valve devices 5 and 6.

[0087] The first control valve assembly 5 also includes a working cylinder 20 with a cylindrical bushing 21, which is attached to the first housing part 7 of the first control valve assembly 5 by means of a working cylinder housing 22.

[0088] The working cylinder 20 serves in particular to actuate the domestic hot water control piston 15 and the heating water control piston 16 of the further control valve assembly 6.

[0089] In this embodiment, the working cylinder housing 22 is designed as a cover part and is screwed onto a threaded shoulder 23 of the first housing part 11.

[0090] The working cylinder 20 provides a working chamber 24 for the domestic water control piston 15 at the first control valve device 5, in which the domestic water control piston 15 is at least partially arranged.

[0091] The working space 24 is enclosed by the cylindrical working cylinder housing 21, by the working cylinder housing 22 or cover part, and by the first housing part 11.

[0092] The domestic water control piston 15 is divided into an axially displaceable domestic water control element 25 and an axially displaceable separating element 26, wherein the separating element 26 divides the working space 24 into a domestic water control element receiving space 27 on the one hand and into a further working space 28 on the other, in which, at least in this embodiment, a return element 29 for holding the domestic water control piston 15 is housed.

[0093] Therefore, the additional workspace 28 is a reset element receiving space 28.

[0094] While the domestic water control piston 15 is designed in two parts here, it is also possible with regard to another design variant to manufacture the domestic water control element 25 and the separating element 26 in one piece.

[0095] If necessary, a spacer sleeve (not shown here) can also be arranged between the actual domestic hot water control piston 15 and the separating element 26 attached to it, in order to hold the separating element 26 at a distance from the domestic hot water control element 25, if this appears advantageous in a variant of the control valve device.

[0096] In any case, the working cylinder 20 is constructed such that the domestic hot water control element receiving chamber 27 faces the housing part 11 of the first control valve device 5, while the reset element receiving chamber 28 is arranged on a side 30 of the separating element 26 or of the domestic hot water control element 25 facing away from this housing part 11.

[0097] The return element 29, by means of its spring force 31, specifically pushes the domestic water control piston 15 axially to the right into its rest position 35, whereby the return element 29 is supported on one side by the separating element 26 and on the other side by the working cylinder housing 22 or cover part.

[0098] In this rest position 35, the first control valve assembly 5 is closed, as shown in the illustration. Figure 1 and 2 shown.

[0099] The return element 29 is clamped against the separating element 26 or the domestic water control piston 15 by means of the screw-on working cylinder housing 22 or cover part, such that the domestic water control piston 15 is in its rest position 35 (see in particular Figure 2 ) is positioned as long as no hot domestic water is requested at a tap and accordingly no domestic water flow rate 3 flows through the first control valve device 5.

[0100] Since the domestic hot water control piston 15 and the heating water control piston 16 are rigidly connected to each other by means of the common actuating element 17, the heating water channel 14 is also closed by the heating water control piston 16 when no domestic hot water flow 3 flows through the first control valve device 5.

[0101] However, as soon as domestic hot water flows through the first control valve 5 due to an activated tap point of the heating-domestic hot water system 2, the domestic hot water control piston 15 moves to the left against the spring force 31 into a control position 36 (see figure). Figure 3 , maximum control position 36), which differs from the rest position 35.

[0102] According to the presentation after the Figure 3 The domestic hot water control piston 15 is in its maximum possible leftward shifted control position 36, in which the maximum domestic hot water flow rate 3 can also flow through the first control valve assembly 5. The same applies to the heating water control piston 16 at the further control valve assembly 6.

[0103] In any case, the separating element 26 is arranged to be displaceable within the working cylinder 20 in such a way that the further working space 28 is reduced as much as possible when the domestic water control piston 15 is displaced into this maximum control position 36 according to its axial displacement direction 37.

[0104] More precisely, the additional working space 28 is reduced by more than 95% compared to its initial volume 38 in the rest position 35 of the domestic hot water control piston 15 when the domestic hot water control piston 15 is in the maximum control position 36.

[0105] In this embodiment, the movable separating element 26 is also designed cumulatively such that it reduces the further working space 28 or the return element receiving space 28 as much as possible when the domestic hot water control piston 15 is moved into the maximum control position 36 according to its axial displacement direction 37, thereby reducing the dead space 39 (numbered only by way of example, see only Figure 3 ) between the working cylinder housing 22 and the separating element 26 within this reset element receiving space 27 is minimized, but at least significantly reduced.

[0106] In this embodiment, the volume of the dead space 39 is only 5% of the initial volume 38 of the further working space 28 or of the return element receiving space 28 when the domestic hot water control piston 15 is in its rest position 35.

[0107] The reset element 29 is held in a defined position within the reset element receiving space 28, since both the separating element 26 and the working cylinder housing 22 or cover part are each equipped with a retaining ring groove 40 or 41, in which the reset element 30 engages and is fixed with one of its ends (not explicitly numbered here).

[0108] The work space 24, in particular the return element receiving space 28, is fluidically connected to the service water channel 13 by means of a connecting line 43.

[0109] As soon as domestic water is requested at a tap and a domestic water flow rate 3 is initiated, this leads to a pressure drop in the further working chamber 28, or in particular in the return element receiving chamber 28, which causes the entire domestic water control piston 15, together with the separating element 26, to be displaced axially to the left against the spring force 31, this displacement to the left continuing until the separating element 26 abuts the inner head side 44 of the working cylinder housing 22 or cover part 22 (see Figure 3 ).

[0110] The remaining dead space 39 between the inner head side 44 and the separating element 26 is dimensioned to be sufficiently large to accommodate the compressed return element 29.

[0111] The separating element 26 has a circumferential outer collar 45, which in this embodiment is arranged concentrically around the center line 9 in a ring shape.

[0112] The outer collar 45 is at least partially immersible in a working cylinder housing 22-sided niche 46 between a working cylinder housing 22-sided return element retaining bridge 47 and a circumferential inner wall 48 of the working cylinder housing 22 when the domestic water control piston 15 is in its maximum control position 36.

[0113] In this maximum control position 36 of the domestic hot water control piston 15, not only is the domestic hot water channel 13 open to its maximum extent, but also the heating water channel 14, since the heating water control piston 16 and the domestic hot water control piston 15 are mechanically connected by means of the actuating element 17, so that the heating water control piston 16 is always dragged along with the domestic hot water piston 15.

[0114] The circumferential outer collar 45 of the separating element 26 is arranged radially further outwards with respect to the center line 9 or the axial displacement direction 37 than the working cylinder housing 22-sided return element retaining bridge 47.

[0115] The niche 46 is also ring-shaped in this case, so that the outer collar 45 can easily be inserted into this niche 46.

[0116] Accordingly, the return element retaining bridge 47 is also shaped in a ring shape on the working cylinder housing 22.

[0117] The domestic water piston 15 can be brought particularly close to the working cylinder housing 22 to minimize the dead space 39, since a receiving groove 49 for receiving the return element retaining bridge 47 is provided in the separating element 26.

[0118] This recess 49 is in this case a disc-shaped material recess (not separately numbered).

[0119] The movable separating element 26 forms sliding surfaces 50 on its outer circumference, by means of which it slides along inner surfaces (not separately numbered) of the working cylinder housing 22, in particular the cylindrical bushing 21.

[0120] In particular, this sliding surface 50 is equipped with a Xylan © coating 8110 / G0975 grey / black, so that the resistance to be overcome when moving the domestic hot water control piston 15 can be significantly reduced. This allows the control valve assembly 5 to operate particularly smoothly and precisely.

[0121] Furthermore, the Xylan ©< coating 8110 / G0975 grey / black also further reduces the risk of bacterial contamination of the process water, especially within the further working space 28 or the retaining element receiving space.

[0122] The cylindrical working cylinder housing 22 and the cover part are each sealed against the first housing part 11 by means of an O-ring seal 51 and 52 respectively.

[0123] In this embodiment, the domestic water control piston 15 or the separating element 26 is sealed against the cylindrical bushing 21 by means of an X-ring seal 53, which is arranged in a circumferential groove 54 realized on the separating element 26.

[0124] Furthermore, the first housing part 11 is sealed at an actuating element passage 55 by means of a stuffing box 56, wherein the stuffing box 56 is sealed against the actuating element 17 on the one hand and the first housing part 11 on the other hand by means of sealing devices 58 having O-ring seals 57 (numbered here only in total).

[0125] By means of these sealing devices 58, the first control valve device 5 is also fluidically sealed on the domestic water side against the further control valve device 6.

[0126] The further control valve assembly 6 comprises an inner sleeve 60 in which the heating water control piston 16 slides.

[0127] In order to thermally decouple the two control valve devices 5 and 6 particularly well from each other, in order to at least reduce heat transfer between the two housing parts 11 and 12, the flow rate controller 1 has a coupling part 65 whose thermal conductivity is lower than that of the housing parts 11 and 12.

[0128] The coupling part 65 is provided in the housing coupling area 10, wherein the first housing part 11 and the further housing part 12 are firmly but detachably connected to each other by the coupling part 65.

[0129] The coupling part 65 is screwed onto an external thread 66 of a receiving pin 67 formed on the first housing part 7 at the coupling side 11, as shown in the illustrations. Figures 2 and 3 more clearly visible.

[0130] The coupling part 65 is inserted into a receiving socket 70 on the coupling side 12 of the further housing part 8 (see only Figure 1 ).

[0131] According to the representations according to the Figures 4 to 7 The present domestic water control piston 15 with its two components domestic water control element 25 and separating element 26 is shown in more detail.

[0132] While the domestic water control piston 15 used here is still designed in two parts, in other versions it can also be manufactured in one part, meaning that the domestic water control element 25 and the separating element 26 are then manufactured as a single part.

[0133] In the present case, at least the separating element 26 is made of polyoxymethylene (POM), so that the further working space 28 or the return element receiving space 28 is particularly well insulated from the domestic water control piston 15.

[0134] However, the entire domestic water control piston 15 can also be made of polyoxymethylene (POM) if this appears advantageous for an embodiment.

[0135] The domestic hot water control element 25 and the separating element 26 can be glued together to form the domestic hot water control piston 15 in its entirety.

[0136] However, solutions are also possible in which the domestic hot water control element 25 and the separating element 26 are cumulatively or alternatively screwed together or otherwise joined together in a suitable manner.

[0137] In the center of the separating element 26 a threaded bore 75 is provided, by means of which the separating element 26 and thus also the domestic hot water control piston 15 can be screwed onto one end (not explicitly numbered) of the common actuating element 17.

[0138] Not only does the outer sliding surface 50 of the separating element 26 have a Xylan ©< coating 8110 / G0975 grey / black, but advantageously also the other surface areas (not explicitly numbered) of the separating element 26 that come into contact with process water are equipped with this.

[0139] Furthermore, the surfaces 76 (numbered only as examples) of the service water control element 25 connected to the separating element 26 which come into contact with the service water also have such a Xylan ©< -coating 8110 / G0975 grey / black.

[0140] To accommodate the actuating element 17, a through-hole 77 is drilled through the domestic hot water control element 25, whereby this through-hole 77 could also have a thread (not shown), so that the actuating element 17 could also be screwed in or through if necessary.

[0141] According to the presentation after the Figure 8 The present flow rate regulator 1 is shown again in a perspective view, wherein the first housing part 7 of the first control valve assembly 5 is connected to the further housing part 8 of the further control valve assembly 6 by means of the coupling part 65 (almost completely concealed) in a fixed but detachable and thermally decoupled manner.

[0142] The first housing part 7 belongs to the first control valve device 5, by means of which the domestic hot water flow rate 3 is controlled or regulated.

[0143] On the left side of the flow regulator 1, the working cylinder housing 22 or cover part 22 of the working cylinder 20 of the first control valve assembly 5 can be clearly seen.

[0144] On the right side of the flow regulator 1 in the area of ​​the further control valve assembly 6, an end of the actuating element 17 is still visible, which protrudes to the right from the flow regulator 1 or from the further control valve assembly 6.

[0145] It is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawing are merely first embodiments of the control valve device, the flow rate regulator, or their components according to the invention. The embodiment of the invention is therefore not limited to these embodiments. Reference symbol list

[0146] 1 Flow regulator 2 Heating / domestic hot water system 3 Domestic hot water flow rate 4 Heating water flow rate 5 First control valve assembly 6 Additional control valve assembly 7 First housing part 8 Additional housing part 9 Center line 10 Housing coupling area 11 Coupling side of the first housing part 12 Coupling side of the additional housing part 13 Domestic hot water channel or domestic hot water circuit 14 Heating water channel or heating water circuit 15 Domestic hot water control piston or sanitary control piston 16 Heating water control piston or heating control piston 17 Common actuating element 18 Guide rod element 19 Longitudinal direction 20 Working cylinder 21 Cylindrical bushing 22 Working cylinder housing or cover part 23 Threaded shoulder 24 Working chamber 25 Domestic hot water control element 26 Separating element 27 Domestic hot water control element receiving chamber 28 Additional working chamber or29 Reset element receiving space 30 Far side 31 Spring force 35 Rest position 36 Control position 37 Displacement direction 38 Output volume 39 Dead space 40 First retaining ring groove 41 Further retaining ring groove 43 Connecting line 44 Inner head side 45 Outer collar 46 Niche 47 Reset element retaining bridge 48 Circumferential inner wall 49 Receiving groove 50 Sliding surfaces 51 Inner O-ring seal 52 Outer O-ring seal 53 X-ring seal 54 Circumferential groove 55 Actuating element feedthrough 56 Stuffing box 57 O-ring seals 58 Sealing devices 60 Inner sleeve 65 Coupling part 66 External thread 67 Receiving pin 70 Receiving bushing 75 Threaded bore 76 Surfaces 77 Through bore.

Claims

1. Positioning control valve device (5) of a flow rate regulator (1) of a process water circuit (13) of a heating-process water system (2), having a process water control piston (15) which is able to be actuated by a process water volumetric flow (3), and having a working cylinder (20) for activating the process water control piston (15), in which positioning control valve device a separating element (26) is disposed within the working cylinder (20) so as to spatially separate a working space (28) which is within the working cylinder (20) and fluidically connected to the process water circuit (13), wherein - the working space (28) is designed as a restoring element receptacle space (23), in which a restoring element (29) for restoring the process water control piston (15) from a control position to its resting position is accommodated, and which is fluidically connected to the process water circuit by means of at least one connecting line, - the separating element (26) is disposed and designed so as to be displaceable within the working cylinder (20) in such a manner that it reduces the working space (28) as the restoring element receptacle space as much as possible when the process water control piston (15) is displaced in accordance with its axial displacement direction (37) to its maximum control position (36), as a result of which a dead space (39) between a working cylinder housing (22) of the working cylinder (20) and the separating element (26) within the restoring element (29) can be reduced to the maximum, characterized in that - the working space (28) is reduced by more than 90%, preferably by more than 95%, compared to its initial volume (38) in the resting position (35) of the process water control piston (15) when the process water control piston (15) is displaced in accordance with its axial displacement direction (37) to its maximum control position (36), - the separating element (26) can be displaced in its entirety by the process water control piston (15), - the separating element (26) is completely inherently rigid, and - the separating element (26) is designed on its outer circumference with sliding surfaces (50) by means of which the separating element (26) slides along the inner surfaces of the working cylinder housing (22).

2. Positioning control valve device (5) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the dead space (39) between the working cylinder housing (22) and the separating element (26) has a dead space volume which is less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, of the working space initial volume (38) in the resting position (35) of the process water control piston (15).

3. Positioning control valve device (5) according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the separating element (26) has an encircling outer collar (45) which is able to plunge at least partially into a working cylinder housing (22) proximal niche (46) between a working cylinder housing (22) proximal restoring element retaining web (47) and an internal circumferential wall (48) of the working cylinder housing (22) when the process water control piston (15) is displaced to a control position (36), in particular to its maximum control position (36).

4. Positioning control valve device (5) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the encircling outer collar (45) of the separating element (26) in terms of the axial displacement direction (37) of the process water control piston (15) is disposed radially further outside than the working cylinder housing (22) proximal restoring element retaining web (47).

5. Positioning control valve device (5) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the working cylinder housing (22) proximal restoring element retaining web (47) is able to be inserted at least partially into the separating element (26) when the process water control piston (15) is displaced to a control position (36), in particular to its maximum control position (36).

6. Positioning control valve device (5) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separating element (26) comprises a receptacle groove (49) for receiving a working cylinder housing (22) proximal restoring element retaining web (47) in such a way that this working cylinder housing (22) proximal restoring element retaining web (47) is able to be disposed at least partially within the separating element (26) when the process water control piston (15) is displaced to a control position (36), in particular to its maximum control position (36).

7. Positioning control valve device (5) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separating element (26) comprises an X-ring seal, (53) or a quad-ring seal, which is disposed in particular in a circumferential groove (54) incorporated in the separating element (26).

8. Positioning control valve device (5) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least part of the surfaces, in particular water contact surfaces (76), sliding surfaces (50) or the like, of components of the positioning control valve device (5, 6), such as specifically the separating element (26), inner surfaces of the working cylinder housing (22) or the like, have coatings, in particular non-stick, sliding and / or corrosion coatings.

9. Positioning control valve device (5) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the separating element (26) is made of a plastics material or a compound thereof, in particular of polyoxymethylene (POM).

10. Flow rate regulator (1) for a heating-process water system (2), having positioning control valve devices (5, 6) for regulating fluid volumetric flows (3, 4) of the heating-process water system (2), characterized by at least one positioning control valve device (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Heating-process water system (2) for heating process water, having at least one tap and having a flow rate regulator (6) for regulating a heating water volumetric flow (4) as a function of a process water volumetric flow (3) requested at the at least one tap, characterized by a positioning control valve device (5) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 or by a flow rate regulator (1) according to Claim 10.