Method for controlling a hot water and heater feed

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heating drinking water and / or a method for providing heating water. Among others, the invention relates to a method for controlling - the supply of hot drinking water to one or more tapping points of a sanitary system, thereby heating drinking water in a heat exchanger system using the continuous flow principle and - providing heating water to a heating circuit of a secondary heating system, in each case using heating water of a primary heating supply as a heat source, wherein a) a hot drinking water request coming from a user is ascertained in the sanitary system, b) information on the request is transmitted to a control system using a data signal, c) the control system actuates an electrically operated actuator, d) the actuator sets a valve on the heat exchanger system to an opening degree, a throughput of heating water consequently being set by the heat exchanger system so that the heating water in the heat exchanger introduces thermal energy into the drinking water, and e) the throughput of heating water is controlled for the heat exchanger system and for the heating system.

Description

[0001] Method for heating drinking water and / or method for providing heating water, method for adjusting a valve, method for controlling paths of a valve, valve unit, set, home station and method for converting a home station

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a method for heating drinking water and / or a method for providing heating water, a method for adjusting a valve, a method for controlling paths of a valve, a valve unit, a set, a home station and a method for converting a home station.

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to a method for heating drinking water to provide domestic hot water for a sanitary system using heating water from a heating system and / or a method for providing heating water for a heating system using heating water from a primary heating flow, a method for manually adjusting a valve of an electrically operated apartment station, a method for controlling paths in a valve when used as a directional control valve, a valve unit comprising a valve body and a valve insert, a set comprising a valve unit as described above and a fitting, an apartment station for connecting a primary heating circuit in a building and / or an apartment to a secondary heating circuit in the building and / or the apartment, and a method for converting such an apartment station.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Apartment stations for use in particular in residential buildings, but also in offices and other commercial buildings, are known from the state of the art.

[0007] For example, de 20 2008 006 054 A1 shows a hydraulic proportional flow controller which opens a valve insert when the user requests domestic hot water (DHW), thereby allowing an incoming return flow of heating water to heat the flowing domestic hot water to the temperature of domestic hot water.

[0008] EP 0 675 326 A1 shows the use of heat exchangers in a water heating system for the preparation of domestic water and heating water in a building.

[0009] DT 2 202 095 discloses a circulating water heater with a manual adjustment and a control device.

[0010] DE 202008010683 U1 discloses a device for heat utilization, wherein a heat source or heat sink is coupled to a second source or heat sink, and a temperature difference is taken into account.

[0011] EP 2 006 609 A2 discloses a water heater in which a hot water mixer is arranged in the hot water outlet pipe.

[0012] WO 2009 / 022226 A2 discloses a method for producing hot water and water for indirect heating.

[0013] DE 36 43 952 A1 discloses a device for regulating the proportional supply of differently tempered domestic water flow rates.

[0014] GB 2 294 754 A discloses a coupling for a heating system.

[0015] US 4,614,231 discloses a vent for heat exchangers.

[0016] Presentation of the invention

[0017] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or alternative to the prior art.

[0018] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a method for controlling

[0019] - providing hot drinking water for one or more taps in a sanitary system by heating drinking water using the flow-through principle in a heat exchanger system; and - providing heating water for a heating circuit in a secondary heating system, in each case using heating water from a primary heating flow as a heat source, whereby a. a request for hot drinking water from a user is determined in the sanitary system, b. information about the request is transmitted to a control system by means of a data signal, c. the control system controls an electrically operated actuator, d. the actuator sets a valve on the heat exchanger system to a certain degree of opening, thus setting a throughput of heating water through the heat exchanger system so that the heating water in the heat exchanger transfers thermal energy to the drinking water, and e.for the heat exchanger system and for the heating system, the flow rate of heating water is controlled depending on the user's request in the sanitary system.

[0020] The following terminology is used to explain this:

[0021] Where indefinite articles such as one, two, etc. are used in this patent application, these are to be understood as “at least one,” “at least two,” etc., unless it is clear from the context, explained, or obvious to a person skilled in the art that only “exactly one,” “exactly two,” etc., should or can be meant.

[0022] "Heating" should be understood as a process that specifically ensures heat transfer within a component, especially within a heat exchanger, preferably a counterflow heat exchanger. Other heat transfer methods are also conceivable. "Drinking water" should be the drinking water that serves as the starting point for heating in a building, be it a single-family or multi-family building with apartments, flats, or offices—that is, the cold drinking water available from the network.

[0023] "Hot drinking water" refers to drinking water heated to a desired usable temperature. In households or offices, the temperature of hot drinking water is typically between 30 and 60 °C, most often between 40 and 55 °C. In contrast, the temperature of the drinking water, for example, is usually around 10 °C. This can vary depending on the pipe layout, the time of year, and the system design. However, due to a DIN standard, the supplier should provide 10 °C on site.

[0024] The "sanitary system" is to be understood as a piping system, for example, within the building. The building is specifically intended to be a single-family home, a two-family home, a multi-family home with apartments or offices, or a commercial building, for example, a building with multiple workspaces such as offices.

[0025] The plumbing system is a piping system and includes the pipes and fittings that carry drinking water. For example, the plumbing system is the pipework from a water supply connection at the mains or utility, through a heating mechanism, to taps such as the faucets of washbasins, showers, or bathtubs.

[0026] The heating system, on the other hand, is a system of pipes that carries hot "heating water." The heating water can come from a central heating system, a decentralized heating system, or a mixed system consisting of central preheating and downstream reheating. A district heating system, for example, can also provide the heating.

[0027] The heating water in the flow line is typically between 30 and 60 °C, although higher temperatures, such as up to 90 °C, can also occur. The return line has a lower temperature. Alternatively, or simultaneously with the process for heating to domestic hot water, a process for providing heating water may be relevant here, specifically for a heating system using heating water from the primary heating flow.

[0028] The “heating circuit” can refer to a single heating circuit or connected heating circuits, mixed or unmixed.

[0029] The "primary heating flow" is understood to be the heating water flow that leads to a valve that can allow, throttle, or stop the heating water flow in a secondary heating circuit. For example, imagine that the primary heating flow leads to a secondary heating flow. The primary heating flow can be the branch, i.e., a heating flow from a central heating water heater, which then leads to the various apartments in an apartment building. Each apartment in the apartment building has a transfer to a secondary heating flow. The secondary heating flow is the flow for each individual residential unit, or at least for a subset of the residential units supplied by the branch. In the secondary heating circuit there, the heating water flows through heating elements, such as radiators or underfloor heating pipes.The heating water then flows back from the secondary heating circuit, thus forming a secondary circulation of heating water. After passing through a valve, the secondary return of heating water is redirected back into the branch, specifically the return of the branch, thus the primary return of heating water.

[0030] A “user” is understood to include both a human and a machine user. For example, in a sanitary system, a person can create a request by tapping hot water, be it by tapping hot water at the washbasin or by tapping hot water at a shower or bathtub faucet. Hot water can also be requested mechanically, for example by a dishwasher in a household if the dishwasher requires hot water to be supplied. The “determination” is understood to be an automated process. A system set up to carry out the method presented here according to the first aspect of the invention therefore has a detector which automatically determines the user’s request for hot drinking water, for example by a sudden current or an increase in the flow velocity in a pipe leading to the hot drinking water tap.However, it is also conceivable that a valve is monitored and the requirement is determined simply by operating the valve.

[0031] The "information" about the request can be a data signal containing the quality or quantity of the request, for example, the measured flow rate, i.e., the throughput. Other values ​​are also conceivable, for example, a relative value, such as the information about the proportion of the currently requested throughput to the maximum throughput available to the process.

[0032] The "control system" is an electronic system. It can have a local processing unit (CPU), or the information or a derivative of the information can be sent to a remote CPU via a data line. For example, it is conceivable that the information is transmitted via the internet, either cable or wirelessly, to a remote computer. In the case of an apartment building, for example, a central computer that carries out the process described here for several or all residential units. It can also be a processing unit, for example, from the manufacturer of home stations, with the processing unit controlling all local processes via a remote data connection.

[0033] Of course, it is also conceivable that the control system is located in the home station, on the home station or even directly on the valve unit.

[0034] In the next step, the control system controls an electrically operated actuator in the heating system. An electrically operated actuator can also be understood as an actuator with, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic drive, provided the drive itself is electrically operated. Electric actuators have proven particularly advantageous and robust in the inventors' developments.

[0035] The actuator then sets a valve to a certain degree of opening. To allow flow, the opening must be greater than zero; it can be up to 100%.

[0036] Setting the valve to a certain opening position results in a flow of heating water through the heat exchanger system. Depending on the opening position, a greater or lesser amount of heating water, along with its contained thermal energy, is carried to a branch (namely, the heat exchanger system). There, the heating water transfers thermal energy to the domestic hot water (specifically, to the drinking water, to generate domestic hot water). This achieves the goal of heating the drinking water to the temperature of domestic hot water.

[0037] The process thus results in the flow rate of heating water for the heating system and also for the sanitary system being controlled depending on the user's requirements in the sanitary system. This is done without, of course, fluidly connecting the heating water and drinking water lines, but only thermally. In simple terms: If the user's demand for domestic hot water is high, a larger volume of heating water is withheld from the secondary heating circuit in the heating system, and instead the heating water is diverted to domestic hot water for heating the drinking water. Alternatively, a priority circuit can be used to completely prevent flow through the secondary heating system, and the heating water from the primary heating flow is made available entirely to the heat exchanger system. Ideally, the flow rate of the heating water through the heat exchanger system is controlled.Even with a priority circuit that completely blocks the flow of heating water through the secondary heating system during domestic hot water dispensing, the amount of heating water flowing through the heat exchanger system can ideally be controlled. It should be expressly noted that the term "control" is generally used in the context of this patent application, but "regulation" is also disclosed as a preferred embodiment.

[0038] Because the proposed control is carried out with a sensor and an information transmission as well as an electrical control, the device components can be designed thermally separated: the sensor on the drinking water line, i.e. in the sanitary system, is not influenced by the heating system and its valve, and vice versa.

[0039] It has already been described that domestic hot water can be heated by means of heat energy exchange from the flow rate of the heating water.

[0040] A heat exchanger, for example, can be used for this purpose. A pipe from the sanitary system, namely the pipe leading to the tap, is routed through the heat exchanger; on the other hand, a pipe from the heating system is routed through the heat exchanger, preferably in such a way that the heating water is branched off from the secondary heating circuit and, instead of flowing through the secondary heating circuit, now flows through a branch that leads through the heat exchanger. Thus, if the secondary heating circuit is throttled or stopped in the supply or return flow by means of the valve, the flow can simultaneously pass through the branch through the heat exchanger when the valve is opened or as a result of a hydraulic effect, whereby the heating water in the heat exchanger heats the drinking water, which preferably flows in the opposite direction, to domestic hot water temperature. This branch is referred to here as the "heat exchanger system."

[0041] The heating of the drinking water can preferably take place in a dwelling station, in particular in a counterflow heat exchanger in a dwelling station.

[0042] The function of a heat exchanger has already been explained above.

[0043] The home station is preferably a transfer station with a variety of connection options, fittings, piping, and valves. Ideally, a home station is arranged in its own housing, with dimensions of, for example, a maximum of 2 x 2 meters per edge, preferably a maximum of 1 x 1 meter per edge, particularly preferably 0.40-0.80 (especially 0.55) x 0.80-1.20 (especially 0.60) meters per edge, or even less, with a housing depth of, for example, 0.10-0.25 (especially 0.15) meters.

[0044] With such dimensions, the apartment station can, for example, be installed instead of a gas boiler with a wall-mounted housing that is often present in existing buildings, which supports the energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings.

[0045] A "housing" for a home station is, in particular, a flat spatial unit, for example, made of sheet metal, with two or three, or especially four, continuous sheets for the edge of the housing and, preferably, a larger rectangular sheet for the rear of the housing. The rear, like the edge sections, can have openings. For example, pre-drilled holes on the rear are useful for hanging the home station on the building wall or for routing cables such as power lines.

[0046] An apartment station can be understood in an (artificially expanded) sense when the transfer fittings, piping and valves are arranged in a spatial cluster, such as a wall niche. In practice, however, the simplest way is within a housing. Such an apartment station is also referred to in the market as a decentralized fresh water station. Typically, such a station contains, among other things, a heat exchanger and several connections, often next to one another on one side of the housing, in particular an inlet for drinking water, an outlet for domestic hot water, a domestic hot water circulation, a connection for the primary heating flow, a connection for the primary heating return, a connection for the secondary heating flow (i.e. into the apartment) and a connection for the secondary heating return (i.e. out of the apartment), if necessary.additional heating circuits, back into the station, from where it is fed into the primary heating return).

[0047] A heat exchanger, especially a counterflow heat exchanger, can be incorporated into the station. This allows the installer to minimize the number of connections required, and thermal effects can be optimally considered within the station.

[0048] A second heat exchanger can also be installed in the apartment station, only as a system separation of the primary / secondary heating network to supply the heating in the apartment.

[0049] It has already been pointed out that the requirement for domestic hot water can be determined as a relative or absolute value and can be taken into account in the control system.

[0050] The control system can provide any proportional or non-proportional allocation of the desired opening degree in the heating system, depending on the requested flow in the plumbing system and the measured flow in the heating system. If the control system performs the allocation using software, the allocation can be changed at any time, either locally or, for example, via remote data transmission.

[0051] It can be provided that, as the demand for domestic hot water increases, the control system continually increases or continually decreases the proportionality factor, or keeps it linear, or keeps it linear in phases, for example over a period of time or a period of quantity, or in any combination thereof.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the control system uses the size of the demand for domestic hot water in a predetermined assignment to control the actuator.

[0053] This should be understood to mean that the predefined assignment includes a predefined function or table which allows the actuator in the valve to set a corresponding position depending on the size of the demand for domestic hot water.

[0054] An option can be provided that allows the predefined assignments to be modified, for example, as a fixed set of values ​​that can be incorporated into the control system via a software update. This allows the control system to control the actuator according to the predefined assignment so that it moves a valve insert in the valve to a predefined valve position. In this case, the level of domestic hot water demand and the corresponding valve position would be a pair of values.

[0055] Preferably, the valve insert in the heating system closes a return flow.

[0056] The system should ideally be set up so that the primary heating flow, i.e. the hot water, reaches the apartment station. Within the apartment stations, the primary heating flow is routed to a secondary heating flow. This is often done in a single apartment station, with the apartment station having a dedicated connection for the primary heating flow and a dedicated connection for the secondary heating flow. The secondary heating flow leads to the radiators within the room, for example, the apartment or office. There, the heating circuit releases its heat and returns to the apartment station as the secondary heating return. The secondary heating return will also usually have a dedicated connection to the apartment station.The secondary heating return is then led into the primary heating return, i.e. back towards the line and thus, for example, back to the basement to the heating system.

[0057] If the valve insert, or the valve in general, is intended to partially or completely throttle the secondary heating circuit, i.e., the heating system within the room, there are several options. If this is to be done within the apartment station, a valve can be installed either in the supply or return line.

[0058] It should be expressly emphasized that even without a request for domestic hot water, the valve insert can be moved to a valve position in order to control the secondary heating circuit independently of a request for domestic hot water.

[0059] The invention considers it advantageous if the intervention in the circuit occurs in the return flow. For this purpose, the secondary heating return is connected to the valve body within the apartment stations. There, the valve insert can throttle or stop the flow, thus throttling or stopping the flow through the secondary heating circuit.

[0060] If the control system moves the valve insert for the secondary flow in the heating system to a valve position on each demand, where one of the valve positions should be a closed position and one valve position should be a fully open position, then the control system is able to operate the secondary flow in the heating system on each demand for domestic hot water in the heat exchanger system.

[0061] The invention is based on the realization that radiators exhibit thermal inertia. Water flows through them for most of the day, as long as temperatures require it, and they heat themselves, as well as the masonry or floor around them, as well as the room air and thus all room surfaces via convection. Domestic hot water, on the other hand, is only drawn in short, discrete intervals. Therefore, the control system can easily throttle or stop the secondary flow in the heating system for as long as domestic hot water is drawn. In other words: domestic hot water drawing is a priority circuit. The available energy, which originates from the primary heating flow, is then used partially or entirely to provide the domestic hot water. Even if water is drawn for, for example, half an hour or a whole hour, this will generally not lead to unpleasant cooling in the heating system.

[0062] The control system may be configured to move the valve insert for the secondary return in the heating system to a fully closed position.

[0063] This creates a configuration in which the flow through the secondary heating system is stagnant, and all the primary heating flow, i.e., the unused, available heat energy available at the apartment station, is fed into the heat exchanger circuit. To achieve this, the control system adjusts the valve insert for the return flow in the heating system and, at the same time, adjusts the flow rate of heating water for heating the domestic water.

[0064] By “simultaneous” we mean that either two control processes take place at the same time, or that a movement takes place, even if this movement can cause the two effects, i.e. the effect in the heating system and the effect in the heat exchanger system, to occur slightly later, for example because a complete zero position is passed during the adjustment.

[0065] It is proposed that the control system moves exactly one valve insert and that the valve insert adjusts both, i.e. the return flow in the heating system and the flow rate of heating water in the heat exchanger system for heating the drinking water.

[0066] With such a design, the kinematics prove to be particularly simple, and the naturally very limited space available in a home station only needs to be occupied by one actuator, i.e., just one actuator. This actuator can move the valve insert, for example, shifting or rotating it, and through this single kinematic adjustment, precisely adjust both the flow rate in the heating system and the flow rate in the heat exchanger system.

[0067] The actuator can advantageously be positioned axially parallel or coaxial with a valve insert and exert a rotary movement on the valve insert.

[0068] The background to this idea is that the very limited installation space available in a home station offers a very well-controlled control option with manageable torques through the rotary movement of a valve insert, or more specifically: of discs within a valve insert. If the actuator is coaxial, a shaft can be guided along the valve body, running from the actuator to the discs of the valve insert; with an axially parallel arrangement, the actuator can be connected via a gear to a shaft leading to the valve insert. It is proposed that the valve insert, when controlled by the actuator, controls a directional valve between a first and a second inlet and a common outlet.

[0069] In such a case, the valve body has a first and a second inlet. The first inlet is integrated into the heat exchanger system; the second inlet is integrated into the heating system, i.e., the secondary heating system. The common outlet leads to the primary heating system, i.e., preferably the primary heating return.

[0070] So if the return from the heat exchanger system and the return from the heating system each lead into the valve body and from there, controlled by the valve, the inflow to the primary heating return can be controlled, then the valve is able to adjust the flow from and thus to the heat exchanger, and also the flow from and thus to the heating circuit.

[0071] Thus, the first inlet can come from the heat exchanger system, and the second inlet can come from the secondary heating system, while the common outlet leads to the primary heating system.

[0072] It is proposed that the valve intervenes in a secondary heating return and throttles or interrupts it in order to divert available incoming heating water from the primary heating flow and thus enable the flow of heating water into the heat exchanger system for heating drinking water.

[0073] It is proposed that the valve connects a first inlet arranged transversely with respect to an axis with an outlet arranged transversely with respect to the axis

[0074] Such a design is also due to the limited space available in a home station. The valve can have a longitudinal extension or an axis, especially one around which an actuator shaft rotates, or around which valve discs rotate. The design with the connection pieces for the drain and inlet each transverse to the axis, preferably perpendicular to the axis, enables a compact construction. In a preferred embodiment, the valve also has a second inlet that is longitudinal with respect to the axis and also connects this to the transversely arranged drain.

[0075] Such a design results in the valve having an axis. A first inlet leads into the valve perpendicular to the axis, a second inlet leads into the valve along the axis, i.e., coaxially or parallel, and a common outlet leads out of the valve perpendicular to the axis.

[0076] Such a geometry, with a suitable design, even makes it possible to retrofit an existing system with a hydraulic proportional flow controller. This is because a hydraulic proportional flow controller of the widely available design, such as that available from Delta Systemtechnik GmbH, Celle, now Ilponor Kamo GmbH, Celle, has an axis that is usually installed horizontally in apartment stations, and both an inlet and an outlet are arranged perpendicular to the axis. At least two, usually four, connection nozzles are arranged perpendicular to the axis of the controller.

[0077] If the valve uses the actuator to connect either the first inlet or the second inlet to the outlet, then the valve is able to control both circuits.

[0078] It is proposed that a volume flow in the sanitary system be recorded by means of a sensor.

[0079] In the plumbing system, the still-cold drinking water or the heated hot drinking water flows to the point of demand, for example, the tap. If a sensor is present there, be it a sensor that does not interfere with the flow cross-section, such as a Hall sensor, or a turbine located in the flow path of the plumbing system, the control unit is able to detect an increase in the flow rate that a demand within the meaning of the present invention exists.

[0080] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the evaluation of a flow turbine within the plumbing system. In particular, it is proposed that the flow turbine be arranged in a fitting and measure the flow there.

[0081] Once the volume flow within the fitting is measured by the sensor, the resulting information is transmitted to the control system. This can be done via a wired or wireless transmission.

[0082] It is advantageous if the control system receives and uses information across components, namely by recording the volume flow within the plumbing system, especially within the fitting, and receiving it from there, and using this information across components to control the actuator on the valve. A so-called flow turbine can also be installed or inserted directly into a pipe or similar component.

[0083] This results in a division of the system into two components: on the one hand, a component in the plumbing system, with the sensor located there. On the other hand, the valve at the interface between the heating system and the heat exchanger system. For additional clarification, the heat exchanger system is not fluidly connected to the plumbing system, but only connected to the heat exchange system. Therefore, the heat exchanger system can also be assigned to the heating system in a broader sense. However, here, the terms are differentiated to better refer to the two parts of the heating water flow.

[0084] In practice, there will usually be three parts, because it is advisable to arrange the control system separately from the sensor in the plumbing system and separately from the valve, for example if an area in a home station is already reserved for electronic controls.

[0085] Nevertheless, it is proposed that the cross-component detection, maintenance and deployment takes place within a home station, i.e. both the sensor in the sanitary system and the valve as well as the actuator and the control system are all located within the home stations.

[0086] It is proposed that the valve be used as a zone valve for a secondary heating circuit as an additional function. For this purpose, the same valve can be used, with the flow rate through the secondary heating system being measured by a sensor (e.g., a flow turbine located in the common return line of the directional control valve).

[0087] This makes it possible to determine the exact flow rate through the secondary heating system, which can be advantageous for billing purposes (recording energy consumption and heating consumption for the apartment), but also in the event of a leak in the heating system. It can also better ensure hydraulic balancing.

[0088] As an additional function, the valve can also be used as a return temperature limiter.

[0089] It's usually advantageous to keep the return flow from a secondary heating system as low as possible. Especially when using renewable energy sources, efficiency often increases when the return flow is as cool as possible.

[0090] If the valve is located in the return flow path of the secondary heating circuit, the temperature of the secondary heating return can be measured via an additional sensor (or, for example, a combined sensor such as a temperature and Hall sensor). These values ​​can be reported, and the flow rate of heating water in the secondary heating circuit can be adjusted, thereby also controlling the return temperature from the secondary heating circuit. Furthermore, by combining the temperatures of the primary heating flow and the secondary heating return with the heating flow rate measurement, a heating output for, for example, an apartment can be calculated and permanently set and limited via the electronics. This ensures automatic hydraulic balancing of the apartment in conjunction with the entire building.

[0091] The temperature sensor that measures the return temperature from a secondary heating system can, for example, be connected to the flow path or to the flow path of the secondary heating return via an additional inlet on the valve body. The return temperature can be measured inside the valve or at the valve.

[0092] If the valve body is a highly heat-conducting body made of metal material, then the temperature can be measured anywhere in the area of ​​the secondary heating return, for example at the second connection piece for the inlet to the valve body mentioned above.

[0093] As an additional function, the valve can be used as a differential pressure regulator.

[0094] To ensure a consistent supply of energy to the various apartments, especially in multi-family homes, hydraulic balancing is essential. A differential pressure regulator can ensure good hydraulic balancing.

[0095] While in conventional systems differential pressure regulators often have to be provided as separate components, the aspect presented here provides that a (further) access can be provided within the same valve body, which contains a differential pressure regulator.

[0096] As an additional function, the valve can be used for venting and / or flushing and / or emptying.

[0097] This is also possible within the same valve body, especially if an additional access is provided at a suitable location, for example with direct access to the space in which the valve insert is located.

[0098] It is proposed that the valve be used as a thermostatic reserve module as an additional function.

[0099] A thermostatic pre-regulation module (or an electronic pre-regulation, which is controlled in sequence via the directional control valve with the same actuator) allows a very small flow of heating water to pass through the valve body, even if the valve blocks one or both of the main flows. Even if there is no flow in either the heat exchanger system or the heating system, or at least if no hot water is drawn off, the heating water can be passed through a capillary line or through a very small passage, for example a passage with a cross-section of less than 50 square millimeters, preferably less than 40 square millimeters, and particularly preferably less than 30 square millimeters, so that at least the valve body, but above all the heating line in the building, does not cool down due to stagnant water, for example overnight.This is especially relevant in summer operation when heating is not in operation, and especially at night when no drawings are being made. The system can even be designed so that the heat exchanger is continuously filled with heating water, so that the time from drawing hot water to reaching the tap is kept as short as possible. Furthermore, the so-called keep-warm function for quickly reaching the hot water temperature, and the overflow of heating water can be set either upstream or downstream of the heat meter for recording heating energy consumption.

[0100] For this purpose, the valve is preferably designed so that a warming flow from the primary heating system through the heat exchanger system is maintained even without a demand for domestic hot water.

[0101] For hygiene reasons, it is preferable not to keep the heat exchanger warm using the heat-retaining function. The directional control valve can optionally perform all heat-retaining functions, with or without keeping the heat exchanger warm.

[0102] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the stated object is achieved by a method for adjusting a valve of a home station, which is designed to carry out a method as described above and is electrically driven, in manual operation, wherein in manual operation a valve insert is manually adjusted by rotation to a degree of opening, wherein the degree of opening assumes 0% or 100% or optionally an intermediate value.

[0103] Such a procedure, i.e., manual adjustment, may be necessary if there is an electrical fault, such as a motor failure, or a power outage. Turning the valve manually is very easy, for example, with a knurled wheel. If the valve can be adjusted by turning a manually adjustable wheel, then switching between heating and hot water is also possible in manual mode. The user then goes to the home station before requesting hot water, sets the dispensing of drinking water by turning the wheel, and can then dispense hot water.

[0104] In particular, for manual adjustment, a valve insert can be rotated around an axis of the actuator or axially parallel to an axis of the actuator, wherein preferably a shaft of the actuator can be rotated manually.

[0105] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stated object is achieved by a method for controlling paths in a valve used as a directional control valve in a sanitary heat exchanger system and a heating system, in particular in conjunction with a method as described above, wherein heating water is path-controlled and optionally a sanitary-side return for heating water, i.e. a return for heating water from a heat exchanger system and / or a secondary heating return are jointly led into a primary heating return.

[0106] In other words, the heating system is provided with two possible circuits on the secondary side: on the one hand, the conventional circuit through the secondary heating system, i.e. through the radiators; on the other hand, on the secondary side, the flow through the heat exchanger system, for heating drinking water.

[0107] Preferably, the method is designed such that the directional control valve additionally controls a primary heating flow and leaves it temporarily or permanently open, wherein the directional control valve also leads the primary heating flow into the primary heating return.

[0108] This can be used to keep the valve warm, especially the entire circuit, and if desired, the heat exchanger as well. This prevents the primary heating flow from stagnating, even when no water is being drawn, and even when the secondary heating circuit is not running. If two of the return lines flow into the valve as the supply line and the primary heating return flows out of the valve as the outlet line, the valve combines two sub-circuits with two connection ports used as the supply line and one connection port used as the outlet line.

[0109] It is proposed that the primary heating flow additionally flows to the valve as an inlet, preferably on a side of the valve opposite the return flow.

[0110] This allows for keeping the food warm.

[0111] It is also advantageous if the inlet from the primary heating flow is led through a smaller nozzle and / or smaller channel in the valve than at least one, preferably two, preferably all three, of the nozzles for the three return lines.

[0112] Significantly less throughput is required for thermal heat retention, so that such a design fulfills the purpose of static heat retention without taking up much installation space and without wasting unnecessary amounts of heat energy.

[0113] It is proposed that the temperature reached for domestic hot water be detected by a sensor and that information about this temperature be used to control a flow proportionality between domestic hot water and heating water in order to limit the temperature reached.

[0114] This can save energy: if the domestic hot water is delivered to the tap at a higher temperature than planned, the flow of heating water from the primary heating flow can be throttled so that less energy is used per unit of time to pass through the heat exchanger and the domestic hot water is therefore heated to a lower temperature.

[0115] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the stated object is achieved by a valve unit comprising a valve body and a valve insert, wherein the valve body has a first inlet nozzle, a second inlet nozzle, an outlet nozzle, and a connection opening for an actuator, wherein the connection opening preferably has a largest opening diameter on the valve body. A "nozzle" is understood to mean a part on the valve body that is designed to have a connection attached to it, i.e., a hose or pipe. In particular, a nozzle will normally have a thread.

[0116] Likewise, the connection opening will have a thread, for example. However, the opening can also be designed so that only one element protrudes from it to transmit force or torque. For example, an opening can be provided in the valve body from which a shaft protrudes, which is operatively connected to the valve insert.

[0117] In terms of design, the inlet and outlet nozzles do not have to be different, but can be constructed identically, for example each with a thread and, for example, each with a size of three-quarters of an inch.

[0118] The valve body will ideally be made of metal, for example, as a cast part. However, an additively manufactured component is also conceivable.

[0119] It is suggested that the connection opening has a larger opening diameter than a dimension of the valve insert and / or is larger than 3 / 4 inch.

[0120] A large connection opening makes it possible to attach an actuator directly to the housing, for example by screwing it on, if the actuator has a housing with a matching counter thread.

[0121] If the valve insert has a preferably circular or circular-segmented disc, in particular a pair of preferably circular or circular-segmented discs, then the flow can be controlled by a rotational movement of the disc or of the two discs against each other by a suitable design of openings in the discs, and, with a suitable design, both for the first inlet and for the second inlet.

[0122] It is therefore proposed that the valve insert have passage recesses, in particular that a pair of discs have identical or different passage recesses, in particular that the valve insert has an inlet disc and a control disc. With two discs lying on top of each other, preferably made of ceramic material, the fluid flow can be guided into the valve insert through the inlet disc. It can flow through the control disc, be guided into a deflection, and then be fed to the outlet, in this case preferably the return to the primary heating system, in a manner controlled by the position of the control disc.

[0123] For the intended use, it is proposed that the inlet disc and / or the control disc have two main openings, wherein preferably a first main opening has a size ratio of at least 2 to 1 to a second main opening.

[0124] For example, the achievable flow rates permitted by the home station may be limited to a maximum of approximately 10 liters per minute into the secondary heating system, whereas up to 25 liters per minute are permitted at the tap within the heat exchanger system, i.e., for heating drinking water in the heat exchanger. It should be emphasized that this is not the amount of water ultimately drawn at the tap; the water flowing to the tap is in the sanitary water system and therefore fluidly separated, only thermally connected.

[0125] If the inlet disc and / or the control disc have an additional opening smaller than the main openings, in particular two such openings, then it becomes possible to allow static heat retention to flow. For this purpose, the smaller opening should in particular have an open diameter of less than 19 square millimeters, preferably less than 15, less than 14, or less than 13 square millimeters.

[0126] The control disc of the valve insert can be freely rotatable through 360°. However, it is preferably proposed that the control disc have a stop, preferably two stops, in the valve insert. This allows calibration to occur each time the stop is reached, allowing the valve unit to control more precisely.

[0127] It is also possible to work without stops. Calibration should be performed using devices such as light barriers or similar systems, or with an actuator with, for example, an encoder or pedometer with feedback. The advantage of not using stops is that noise is prevented.

[0128] Calibration can be supported by, for example, a light barrier.

[0129] A lightweight and very compact design in terms of installation space is achieved when the valve unit features an actuator with a shaft in rotary connection with the valve insert. A lifting movement with a corresponding valve insert and motor can also be designed to enable the same functions.

[0130] It is proposed that the valve unit has a deflection chamber, wherein the deflection chamber is in flow connection with the first inlet nozzle and in flow connection with the valve insert.

[0131] It is also proposed that the valve unit has a deflection chamber, wherein the deflection chamber is in flow connection with the second inlet nozzle and in flow connection with the valve insert.

[0132] In order to make the valve, which already combines many functions, as compact as possible, while also allowing it to be installed in a convenient location within a home station, it will generally be necessary for the valve body to have its two inlet nozzles pointing in different directions. With such a design, the inventor considers it advantageous if at least one of the two flow paths, i.e., from the first inlet to the outlet or from the second inlet to the outlet, is directed through the discs into a diverter and back through the discs again.

[0133] The valve insert can have an electric direct drive. For example, a stepper motor is conceivable. A direct drive can be connected directly to the valve body housing in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0134] Alternatively, it is conceivable for the valve insert to have an electric geared drive. A geared drive makes it possible, for example, to use a smaller drive motor while allowing the motor to be positioned independently with more degrees of freedom. Furthermore, a gear ratio or reduction ratio can be selected to achieve the desired accuracy in adjusting the valve insert, depending on the motor's accuracy.

[0135] A V-belt or other belt drive may be provided as part of the transmission.

[0136] It has already been pointed out that the first inlet connection can be arranged perpendicular to a valve axis, and regardless of this, the first inlet connection can have a 3 / 4 inch thread. The inlet connection from the heat exchanger can also be designed on the directional control valve so that it can be screwed directly onto the heat exchanger.

[0137] Both make installation in a home station easier.

[0138] It has also already been pointed out that the second inlet connection can be arranged longitudinally to a valve axis, i.e., in particular, coaxially or axially parallel, and can independently have a 3 / 4-inch thread. Connection connections, 1-inch versions, plug-in connections, or similar designs are, of course, always possible.

[0139] This also makes installation in a home station easier.

[0140] It has also already been pointed out that the outlet nozzle can be arranged transversely to a valve axis, preferably offset along the valve axis relative to the first inlet nozzle or the second inlet nozzle.

[0141] This means that the valve unit can directly replace a controller for proportional flow control in apartment stations, which is widely found on the market, and thus digitalise the stations.

[0142] The drain outlet also preferably has a 3 / 4 inch thread

[0143] The proposed valve unit is already multifunctional. In addition to the three existing connections—two inlet and one outlet if the valve is installed in the return line, or vice versa—it is proposed that the valve unit have one, two, or three or more additional, smaller inlets.

[0144] An access port can be connected to the two main flow channels, i.e., from the first inlet to the outlet and from the second inlet to the outlet, but can also be structurally separated from them, for example, the access port can simply lead into the housing wall. The other access ports can be used for other functions of the valve unit.

[0145] Two inlets can also be used together to drain fluid through one of the smaller inlets and feed it back into another of the smaller inlets, for example to enable thermostatic or electronic control of heat retention.

[0146] The valve body can have a blind hole, which makes it possible, for example, to measure temperature without the risk of leakage.

[0147] From a design perspective, it is advantageous if the valve insert, depending on its position, connects the first inlet and / or the second inlet with the outlet.

[0148] In terms of design, it is proposed that the first inlet and the common outlet have an axial distance of between 20 and 30 millimeters, preferably between 22 and 28 millimeters, preferably 25 + / - 1 millimeter.

[0149] This value is measured along the axis of the valve unit, to which, given a suitable design, the first inlet and the common outlet are each perpendicular. If the axis of the first inlet, the axis of the valve unit, and the axis of the common outlet are projected onto a plane that contains the axis of the valve unit, the projection of the axis of the first inlet intersects with the axis of the valve unit. Likewise, the projection of the axis of the common outlet intersects with the axis of the valve unit. What is meant here is the distance between these two intersection points along the axis of the valve unit. The proposed values ​​make it particularly easy to replace hydraulic proportional flow controllers in home stations with the invention presented here, and thus to digitize the home station without further mechanical intervention, or at least to initially implement or convert it to be thermally separated and electronically driven.

[0150] Although the water pipe in the sanitary area, i.e. the drinking water pipe to the tap, also has an offset due to the inlet and outlet nozzles of a hydraulic proportional flow regulator, this offset can easily be compensated for with an appropriately shaped fitting.

[0151] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the stated object is achieved by a set comprising a valve unit as described above, with an actuator and separately a fitting, preferably with a measuring device.

[0152] Such a set allows the fitting with the measuring device to be placed in the inlet to the tap and to determine the requirements and transmit them to the control unit, whereupon the spatially separated valve unit with the actuator can be adjusted accordingly.

[0153] The set should include an electronic control device and a connection from the measuring device to the control device as well as a connection from the control device to the actuator.

[0154] In the simplest case, both can be wired, but wireless transmission is also conceivable.

[0155] The advantages described above directly explain that, according to a further aspect of the present invention, a home station for connecting a primary heating system in a building to a secondary heating system for a room in the building, as well as for coupling a control of the primary heating system to a plumbing system in the room, is advantageous, wherein the home station comprises a set according to one of the above embodiments. Such a home station preferably comprises a housing in which at least one of the two components of the set is arranged, preferably both components.

[0156] As already explained above, the housing is ideally a flat cuboid, with metal sheets on the four sides and a large rectangular sheet on the back.

[0157] Ideally, the control system is also located in the housing.

[0158] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the stated object is achieved by a method for converting a home station having a single-body hydraulic proportional flow controller, wherein the proportional flow controller is removed by inserting an electronically controlled valve unit in the home station and two bodies are installed at connections of the home station originally leading to the proportional flow controller.

[0159] The first body can be in the form of a fitting and close the sanitary line, i.e. connect the inlet of drinking water to the previous proportional flow regulator with the outlet of drinking water from the previous proportional flow regulator.

[0160] When removing the proportional flow controller from the apartment station, the proportional flow controller in a heating system is separated from a secondary heating circuit return as the first inlet of the controller and / or from a second return coming from a heat exchanger as the second inlet of the controller and from the primary heating return as a common outlet.

[0161] The second body in the form of an electrically controlled directional control valve is then installed in the home station, comprising a first inlet nozzle, a second inlet nozzle and a common outlet nozzle, as well as a valve insert and preferably an actuator.

[0162] During conversion, the actuator can be installed in a gap between the fitting and the valve body. It should be expressly noted that, depending on the country, wherever this patent application refers to 3 / 4 inch, a 1-inch dimension can also be used.

[0163] Short character description

[0164] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0165] Fig.1a in side view a first embodiment of a set consisting of a TW sensor and a valve unit,

[0166] Fig. 1 b in the same view the set from Figure 1a in a schematic section;

[0167] Fig. 1 c shows a plan view of the valve from Figures 1 a and 1 b;

[0168] Fig. 1d shows a detailed view of two valve discs from the valve unit of Figures 1a to 1c;

[0169] Fig. 2 shows a first connection diagram of a home station;

[0170] Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a gear-driven valve unit;

[0171] Fig.4.1-4.11 different connection schemes for realizing different functions in a home station,

[0172] Fig. 5a side view of a second embodiment of a valve unit;

[0173] Fig. 5b shows the embodiment from Fig. 5a in a rotated view;

[0174] Fig. 5c shows the embodiment from Figures 5a and 5b in a sectional view;

[0175] Fig. 5d shows the embodiment from Figures 5a to 5c in detail in a sectional view, and Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the valve body with actuator with a functional description, mandatory or optional or alternative, of all accesses.

[0176] Set 1 in Figures 1a-1d essentially consists of a fitting 2 and an electronically controlled valve 3. Valve 3 essentially consists of a valve body 4 and a motor 5.

[0177] The fitting 2 leads from a drinking water inlet 6 to a drinking water outlet 7. An offset 8 is provided between the drinking water inlet 6 and the drinking water outlet 7, so that an axis of the drinking water inlet 6 and an axis of the drinking water outlet 7 are offset from each other.

[0178] In the fitting 2, a receiving space 9 is provided, in which a measuring turbine 10 is inserted, which is designed to determine the flow rate of drinking water using the flow principle.

[0179] The receiving chamber 9 is cylindrical, and the measuring turbine 10 is also cylindrical.

[0180] The receiving space 9 is arranged outside the offset 8.

[0181] The fitting 2 is constructed asymmetrically: on one side of the offset 8, there is a longer nozzle 11 due to the receiving space 9. On the other side of the offset 8, there is no pronounced nozzle, but rather a connection follows immediately.

[0182] The valve body 4 consists in particular of a hollow body 12. In the hollow body 12 there is a valve insert 13. The valve insert 13 essentially consists of two discs, namely an inlet disc 14 and a control disc 15, which in the present example are both made of ceramic.

[0183] The valve body 4 also has a first inlet 16 and a second inlet 17 as well as a common outlet 18.

[0184] The common outlet 18 includes a second receiving space 19, which is preferably designed with at least substantially identical dimensions to the receiving space 9, so that a measuring turbine of the same construction as the measuring turbine 10 can also be inserted into the second receiving space 19, whereby the flow out of the valve body 4 through the outlet 18 can be measured with the additional measuring turbine.

[0185] In terms of flow, both the first inlet 16 and the second inlet 17 are both connected to the outlet 18 as follows:

[0186] From the first inlet 16, an inlet leads into a space which is adjacent to the control disc 15. The control disc 15 has control openings 20, 21 which communicate with openings (not shown) in the inlet disc 14 depending on the rotation of the control disc

[0187] 15 can be brought into correspondence with the inlet disc 14.

[0188] Thus, with a suitable position of the control disc 15 relative to the inlet disc 14, a connection leads from the space into which the first inlet 16 leads, through the valve insert 13 to the common outlet 18.

[0189] From the second inlet 17, a channel (not shown) leads through the inlet disc 14 and through the control disc 15 to a deflection chamber 21, which then also adjoins the control disc 15 and, upon suitable rotation of the control disc 15 relative to the inlet disc 14, also connects the deflection chamber 21 to the common outlet 18.

[0190] The control disc 15 is designed relative to the inlet disc 14 in such a way that the two openings 20, 21 either only release the fluid connection from the first inlet 16 to the common outlet 18 or from the second inlet 17 to the common outlet 18.

[0191] Specifically, the design is chosen so that the larger opening 21 corresponds to the first inlet 16, i.e. by turning the control disc 15 the first inlet

[0192] 16 can be brought into fluid communication with the common outlet 18 via the larger opening 21. On the other hand, the smaller opening 20 can be adjusted by appropriate rotation so that, including a deflection in the deflection chamber 21, a fluid connection is created from the second inlet 17 through the deflection chamber 21 and the valve insert 13 to the common outlet 18.

[0193] Motor 5 is a stepper motor. It acts on the control disc 15 via a shaft (not shown), which can also be operated with a handwheel 22, by means of a mechanical connecting part 23, so that rotation of the shaft (not shown) by motor 5 leads to a rotation of the control disc 15 relative to the inlet disc 14.

[0194] There are also three further accesses on the valve body 4, namely a first further access 24, a second further access 25 and a third further access 26 (hidden in Figures 1 a and 1 b).

[0195] During operation of set 1, fitting 2 is used to detect a user's request for hot drinking water by means of the measuring turbine 10 and to report this information to a control unit (not shown).

[0196] The control unit accesses the motor 5 and causes it to rotate the shaft and thus rotate the control disc 15 relative to the inlet disc 14.

[0197] When domestic hot water is drawn, a complete priority circuit is envisaged in the example shown here. The control disc 15 therefore closes the path from the second inlet 17, which connects to the return of a secondary heating system, so that heating water from the primary heating flow (not shown) can no longer circulate in the secondary heating circuit. Instead, the first inlet 16 is fluidly connected to the common return 18 and thus released. The return of a heat exchanger system is present at the first inlet 16, so the heating water from the primary heating flow flows through the heat exchanger, flows downstream of the heat exchanger through the first inlet 16 into the valve body 4 and from there through the valve insert 13 to the common return 18, which leads into the primary heating return.Regardless of whether there is a demand for domestic hot water, the flow through the secondary heating system can be controlled using the control disc 15.

[0198] In the present example, the control disc 15 is designed relative to the inlet disc 14 in such a way that only either the first inlet 16 or the second inlet 17 can be flow-connected to the common outlet 18; in between, the control disc 15 moves over a zero position relative to the inlet disc 14, wherein in the zero position both flow connections are closed.

[0199] Both in the rotation range of the flow of heating water in the heat exchanger system (in the control disc 15, i.e. through the larger opening 21 in this example) and in the rotation range of the flow of heating water in the secondary heating system (in the control disc 15, i.e. through the smaller opening 20 in this example), the opening cross-section can be changed by turning the control disc 15, so that the amount of heating water flow can be controlled in both operating states.

[0200] It should be emphasized that, depending on the geometric design, very diverse opening and closing mechanisms can result due to the coordinated passages in the inlet disc 14 and the control disc 15.

[0201] By means of these three nozzles on the valve body and by means of the requirement determination on the fitting, the multi-function valve can fulfil the basic function, namely the control of heating water flow through the secondary heating system as well as the control of heating water flow through the heat exchanger system with a single valve unit.

[0202] The three additional access points enable optional additional functions:

[0203] The first additional access port 24 is fluidly connected to the fluid guide inside the valve body 4. It can be used to connect a capillary tube for differential pressure control, or for draining, flushing, or venting.

[0204] The second additional access 25 is also fluidically connected to the fluid guide inside the valve body 4, namely to a channel from the second inlet 17, i.e. a heating channel in the valve body 4. The second additional access 25 can be used to maintain the temperature, i.e. to keep it warm via the heating channel, by means of a spring-loaded valve, whereby in practice a holding pressure of, for example, around 150 mbar seems to be recommendable.

[0205] The second additional access 25 can also be used twice with a T-piece, i.e. for keeping warm and at the same time for venting or rinsing or emptying.

[0206] The third additional access 26 is preferably not fluidically connected to the fluid line inside the valve body. It can also be used to maintain temperature, either via an external mechanical valve or, for example, via an external valve with a motor. The third additional access 26 can also be used for dual purposes with a T-piece, i.e., for maintaining temperature and simultaneously for venting, flushing, or draining.

[0207] The third additional inlet 26 can also be fluidically connected to the interior, in this case to the common outlet 18. Such a design can be used, for example, for venting, and / or a capillary tube for heat retention can be provided and fed into the third additional inlet 26, so that any amount of heating water flowing through the capillary tube is also completely guided through the common outlet. This allows, for example, a measuring turbine in the second receiving chamber 19 to also count the amount of heating water consumed for heat retention within one and the same valve unit.

[0208] A first blind hole 27a on the fitting 2 can accommodate a pin-shaped Hall sensor (with or without temperature sensor) to detect a magnetic field of the measuring turbine 10.

[0209] A second blind hole 27b on the valve body 4 can also accommodate a pin-shaped Hall sensor (with or without temperature recording) to detect a magnetic field of the measuring turbine in the second receiving chamber 19, or to detect a temperature, for example, without a turbine. The first connection diagram 30 in Figure 2 schematically shows a dwelling station with a housing 31 and a connection block 32 for TWW-whg (domestic hot water for the apartment), TW-ges. (drinking water supply for heating), Hz-VLpri (primary heating flow), Hz-RLpri (primary heating return), Hz-VLsek (secondary heating flow) and Hz-RLsek (secondary heating return).

[0210] Also located within the housing are a multi-function valve 33, a heat exchanger 34 and a control unit 35 with the ability to control a motor 36, as well as a measuring turbine 37.

[0211] When the apartment station is in operation, multifunction valve 33 controls the flow from the primary heating flow to the secondary heating flow as long as no hot water is being drawn. It can stop the flow, or it can open the valve insert to any degree, allowing flow between 0% and 100%. The secondary heating return flows through multifunction valve 33, where the flow is controlled. From multifunction valve 33, the returning heating water is then directed to the primary heating return and from there reaches the house-side branch.

[0212] However, as soon as the measuring turbine detects the dispensing of hot water, the control unit 35 is notified of the request. The control unit then immediately activates the motor 36, which adjusts the valve insert in the multifunction valve 33.

[0213] The secondary heating return is now blocked, leaving the heating water stagnant in the heating system.

[0214] Instead, the multifunction valve 33 releases the return flow from the heat exchanger system so that the hot heating water from the primary heating flow now flows through the heat exchanger.

[0215] In order to ensure a desired temperature range for the tapped hot water, the flow of the heating water through the heat exchanger system is also controlled, preferably even explicitly regulated.

[0216] The return flow from the heat exchanger passes through the multifunction valve 33, where the flow rate is controlled by the valve insert. In the multifunction valve 33, the return flow from the heat exchanger system is directed into the same common outlet (see common outlet 18 in Figures 1a, 1b), so that the same line 38 leads from the multifunction valve 33 to the primary heating return flow.

[0217] The gear-driven valve unit 40 in Fig. 3 essentially has an adapted valve body 41 which, in terms of its flow paths and control options, is functionally identical to that of Figs. 1 a - 1 d.

[0218] However, the valve body 41 does not have a direct drive motor on its front side 42, through whose opening the valve insert is inserted into the valve body, but instead has a gear 43. The laterally arranged motor 47 drives the valve insert via a first gear 44, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a shaft 45 (most of which is not visible) and has a first diameter, and a second gear 46, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a laterally arranged motor 47 or its output shaft 48 and has a second diameter, the first gear 44 being ideally connected to the second gear 46 in a slip-proof manner, here via a belt 49 (in reality rotating around both gears, not completely here due to the sectional view). The diameters of the two gears can be used to select an increase or decrease ratio.

[0219] Scheme 1 in Figure 4.1 is identical to the first scheme in Figure 2.

[0220] The schemes of the following figures differ only in one (or a few) details, usually one function has been added or modified, namely as follows:

[0221] Fig. 4.2 includes the integration of a thermostatic heat-retaining bridge (new or existing) into opening 26 (outlet 18, common return of the valve unit) to keep the line warm. This could also be done via an electronic valve controlled by the control unit.

[0222] Fig. 4.3 shows the integration of the heating system into opening 25. Here, the heating system is controlled via the control unit using the heating regulator in conjunction with the additional mini-valve (150 mbar spring with ball). Fig. 4.4 is the same as Fig. 4.1, but with a measuring turbine for recording the heating flow rate with the various calculation and recording processes, such as heating circuit power limitation, heat quantity recording, limiting the maximum flow rate per cycle during hot water operation, etc.

[0223] Fig. 4.5 contains combination of 4.4 and 4.3

[0224] Fig. 4.6 contains combination of 4.4 and 4.2

[0225] Fig. 4.7 includes a representation with the integration of an external differential pressure regulator, with connection to valve 4 - connection point 24.

[0226] Fig. 4.8 shows a mixing circuit, e.g., for underfloor heating. Valve unit 4 controls the flow rate for the heating injection water to regulate the secondary flow temperature. In combination with Fig. 4.5.

[0227] Fig. 4.9 includes a cold water apartment outlet in connection with Fig. 4.4.

[0228] Fig. 4.10 includes a differential pressure regulator in conjunction with Fig. 4.9

[0229] Fig. 4.11 includes Fig. 4.9, Fig. 4.8, Fig. 4.5 with an additional second static heating circuit outlet which in turn can be equipped with many additional components, such as differential pressure regulator, return temperature limiter and zone valve.

[0230] The design of the E-valve shown in Figures 1a-1d or 3 is primarily intended for retrofitting existing apartment stations with hydraulic proportional flow controllers. The geometry of the valve body and its connecting pieces are designed to allow the existing lines to be connected as unchanged as possible.

[0231] Such valve bodies can of course also be used for new systems

[0232] For new systems, however, a different housing geometry can preferably be used, such as the second embodiment in Figures 5a to 5d: The second embodiment essentially has the same accesses and functional components, namely

[0233] - a valve housing 50

[0234] - with a cavity 51 , accommodated therein

[0235] - a valve insert 52;

[0236] - a motor 53 with a manual knurled wheel 54, as well as on the valve housing 50, especially

[0237] - a first inlet 55,

[0238] - a second inlet 56, having a deflection 57, 58, and

[0239] - a common outlet 59, wherein the first inlet 55 and the second inlet 56 (indirectly, via the deflection 57, 58) are each necessarily fluidically connected by an inlet disc 60 and a control disc 61 to a chamber 62, which then leads into the common outlet 59, further comprising

[0240] - a measuring turbine 63, which is arranged in a second receiving space 64 in the common outlet 59, and

[0241] - in the case of a set for the sanitary side, an additional fitting, preferably also with a measuring turbine (both not shown).

[0242] In addition to these accesses to the main function, there are further accesses to implement optional additional functions, namely as follows:

[0243] A first further access 64 can be used to introduce primary heating water for keeping warm.

[0244] Through a second inlet 65, used as an outlet, a capillary tube (not shown, but see diagram 11 in Fig. 4.11) can be routed to a third inlet 66, so that the heat retention is conducted upstream of the heat meter into the common outlet 59. Alternatively, the outlet can be fed to the primary return downstream of the heat meter. A passage 52a for the heat retention is provided in the valve insert.

[0245] A fourth additional access 67 can be used to connect a differential pressure regulator in the inlet from the heat exchanger system, for flushing, venting or emptying.

[0246] A fifth further access 68 can be used for general purposes, in particular for flushing, measuring, venting or emptying.

[0247] A Hall sensor 69 (and / or temperature sensor) can be provided on the outside of the valve body or in a recess 70 or in a blind hole. The same applies analogously to the sensor on the fitting (not shown).

[0248] List of reference symbols used

[0249] 1 set

[0250] 2 Fitting

[0251] 3 valve

[0252] 4 valve bodies

[0253] 5 Engine

[0254] 6 Drinking water (TW) inlet

[0255] 7 TW expiration

[0256] 8 Offset

[0257] 9 Recording room

[0258] 10 Must Turbine

[0259] 11 nozzles

[0260] 12 Cavity

[0261] 13 Valve insert

[0262] 14 Inlet disc

[0263] 15 Control disc

[0264] 16 first inlet

[0265] 17 second inlet

[0266] 18 common process

[0267] 19 second recording room

[0268] 20 first opening

[0269] 21 second opening

[0270] 22 Handwheel

[0271] 23 mechanical unit

[0272] 24 first further access

[0273] 25 second additional access

[0274] 26 third additional access

[0275] 27a first blind hole

[0276] 27b second blind hole

[0277] 30 first connection diagram

[0278] 31 housings

[0279] 32 terminal block

[0280] 33 Multifunction valve

[0281] 34 heat exchangers

[0282] 35 Control unit

[0283] 36 Engine

[0284] 37 measuring turbine

[0285] 38 Line

[0286] 40 gear-driven valve unit

[0287] 41 Valve body

[0288] 42 front side

[0289] 43 gearboxes

[0290] 44 first wheel

[0291] 45 Wave

[0292] 46 second wheel

[0293] 47 Engine output shaft belt

[0294] Valve housing cavity valve insert engine

[0295] Knurled wheel first inlet second inlet deflection deflection common outlet inlet disc control disc room

[0296] Measuring turbine first additional access second additional access third additional access fourth additional access fifth additional access Hall sensor recess

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Procedure for controlling - the provision of hot drinking water for a tap of a sanitary system by heating drinking water using the flow principle in a heat exchanger system; and - the provision of heating water for a heating circuit of a secondary heating system, in each case using heating water from a primary heating flow as a heat source, whereby a. a request for domestic hot water from a user is determined in the sanitary system, b. information about the request is transmitted to a control system by means of a data signal, c. the control system controls an electrically operated actuator, d. the actuator sets a valve on the heat exchanger system to a certain degree of opening, thus setting a throughput of heating water through the heat exchanger system so that the heating water in the heat exchanger transfers thermal energy to the domestic water, and e. the throughput of heating water is controlled for the heat exchanger system and for the heating system depending on the request made by the user in the sanitary system.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the domestic hot water is heated by means of heat energy exchange from the flow rate of the heating water in a heat exchanger, in particular a countercurrent heat exchanger. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating of the drinking water takes place in a home station. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the requirement for hot drinking water is determined as a relative and / or absolute value and is taken into account in the control system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system uses the value of the requirement for hot drinking water in a predetermined assignment to control the actuator. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the control system moves the actuator a valve insert to a valve position in accordance with the predetermined assignment. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve insert closes a return in the heating system. Method according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the control system controls the valve insert for the secondary flow in the heating system a.moves to a valve position upon each request and / or b. moves to a valve position even without a request for domestic hot water, in order to control the secondary heating circuit independently of a request for domestic hot water. Method according to one of the preceding claims from 6 onwards, characterized in that the control system moves the valve insert for the return flow in the heating system to a completely closed position. Method according to one of the preceding claims from 6 onwards, characterized in that the control system sets the valve insert for the return flow in the heating system and, at the same time, the control system adjusts the flow rate of heating water for heating the domestic water. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the control system moves exactly one valve insert, and the valve insert adjusts both the return flow in the heating system and the throughput of heating water in the heat exchanger system for heating the drinking water. Method according to one of the preceding claims from 6, characterized in that the actuator is axially parallel or coaxial with a valve insert and exerts a rotary movement on the valve insert. Method according to one of the preceding claims from 6, characterized in that the valve insert, when controlled by the actuator, acts as a directional valve between a first and a second inlet and a common outlet. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first inlet comes from the sanitary system and the second inlet comes from the secondary heating system, while the common outlet leads into the primary heating system.Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the valve engages a secondary heating return and throttles or interrupts it in order to divert incoming heating water and thus enable the throughput of heating water into the heat exchanger system for heating the drinking water. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve connects a first inlet, which is arranged transversely with respect to an axis, to an outlet, which is arranged transversely with respect to the axis. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the valve connects a second inlet, which is arranged longitudinally with respect to the axis, to the transversely arranged outlet. Method according to claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the valve selectively connects the first inlet and / or the second inlet to the outlet by means of the actuator. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a volume flow in the sanitary system is detected by means of a sensor. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that a flow turbine within the sanitary system is evaluated. Method according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that a volume flow within a fitting is detected by means of the sensor and transmitted as information to the control system. Method according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the control system receives and uses the information across components, namely receives the volume flow within the sanitary system, especially within the fitting, and uses this information across components to control the actuator on the valve. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the cross-component detection, reception and use takes place within a home station.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as an additional function, the valve is used as a zone valve for a secondary heating circuit. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the same valve is used for this purpose, wherein a flow rate through the secondary heating system is detected by a sensor. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as an additional function, the valve is used as a return temperature limiter. Method according to claim 26, characterized in that, for this purpose, a temperature sensor detects a return temperature from a secondary heating system. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that for this purpose the return temperature inside the valve or at the valve is recorded. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as an additional function the valve is used as a differential pressure regulator. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as an additional function the valve is used for venting and / or flushing and / or emptying. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as an additional function the valve is used as a thermostatic reserve module. Method according to claim 31, characterized in that the valve maintains a heat retention flow from the primary heating system through the heat exchanger system even without a request for domestic hot water.Method for adjusting a valve of a home station, which is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims and is electrically operated, in manual operation, wherein in manual operation a valve insert is manually adjusted by rotation to a degree of opening, wherein the degree of opening assumes 0% or 100% or an intermediate value. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that for adjustment in manual operation a valve insert is rotated about an axis of the actuator or axially parallel to an axis of the actuator, preferably a shaft of the actuator is manually rotated. Method for controlling paths in a valve when used as a directional control valve in a sanitary heat exchanger system and a heating system, in particular in conjunction with a method according to one of claims 1 to 32. wherein heating water is route-controlled and optionally a sanitary-side return for heating water and / or a secondary heating-side return are jointly led into a primary heating return. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the directional control valve additionally routes a primary heating flow and / or leaves it permanently open, wherein the directional control valve also leads the primary heating flow into the primary heating return. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that two of the returns flow into the valve as an inlet and the primary heating return flows out of the valve as an outlet. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the primary heating flow additionally flows into the valve as an inlet, preferably on a side of the valve opposite the one return.Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inlet from the primary heating flow is guided through a smaller nozzle and / or smaller channel in the valve than at least one, preferably two, particularly preferably all three, of the nozzles for the two returns (i.e., from the heat exchanger system and from the secondary heating system) and the common outlet (i.e., to the primary heating return). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drinking water inlet additionally flows to the valve as an inlet, preferably through a smaller nozzle and / or smaller channel in the valve than at least one, preferably two, particularly preferably all three, of the nozzles for the two returns (i.e., from the heat exchanger system and from the secondary heating system) and the common outlet (i.e., to the primary heating return), so that domestic hot water circulation is maintained.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a temperature of the hot drinking water reached. a. is detected by a sensor and information about the temperature is used to control a flow ratio between drinking water and heating water in order to influence the temperature reached; and / or b. is increased or decreased as required by a predetermined, but preferably adjustable, proportionality between the flow to the tap in the sanitary system and the flow to the heat exchanger in the heat exchanger system, for which purpose a flow measurement is carried out in both the sanitary system and the heat exchanger system. Valve unit, comprising a valve body and a valve insert, wherein the valve body - a first inlet nozzle and - a second inlet nozzle and - a drain outlet and - has a connection opening for an actuator, which preferably has a largest opening diameter on the valve body, and - optionally a first additional access, with fluid connection to a chamber on a valve insert, as well as - optionally a second additional access, with fluid connection to a channel from the second inlet nozzle, as well as - optionally a third additional access, with fluid connection to a channel from the common drain connection, as well as - Optionally, a blind hole with access to the common drain connection. Valve unit according to claim 42, characterized in that the connection opening has a larger opening diameter than a dimension of the valve insert and / or is larger than 3 / 4 inch. Valve unit according to one of claims 42 or 43, characterized in that the valve insert has a preferably circular or circular-segmented disc, in particular a pair of preferably circular or circular-segmented discs. Valve unit according to claim 44, characterized in that the valve insert has passage recesses, in particular a pair of discs has identical or different passage recesses, in particular the valve insert has an inlet disc and a control disc. Valve unit according to claim 45, characterized in that the inlet and / or the control disc has two main openings, wherein a first main opening preferably has a size ratio of at least 2:1 to a second main opening. Valve unit according to claim 45 or 46, characterized in that the inlet and / or the control disc has a passage opening that is smaller than the main openings.Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve unit has an actuator with a shaft in rotary connection with the valve insert. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve unit has a deflection chamber, wherein the deflection chamber is in flow connection with the first inlet nozzle and in flow connection with the valve insert. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve unit has a deflection chamber, wherein the deflection chamber is in flow connection with the second inlet nozzle and in flow connection with the valve insert. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve set has an electric direct drive. Valve unit according to one of claims 42 to 50, characterized in that the valve set has an electric geared drive. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the first inlet nozzle is arranged transversely to a valve axis. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the first inlet nozzle has a 3 / 4 inch thread. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the second inlet nozzle is arranged longitudinally to a valve axis.Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the second inlet nozzle has a 3 / 4 inch thread. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the outlet nozzle is arranged transversely to a valve axis, preferably offset along the valve axis with respect to the first inlet nozzle. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the outlet nozzle has a 3 / 4 inch thread. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve body has one, two or three smaller inlets in addition to the two inlets and the outlet, preferably each with a 3 / 4 inch dimension. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve body has a blind hole. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the valve insert, depending on the position, brings the first inlet and / or the second inlet into path connection with the outlet. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the first inlet and the common outlet have an axial distance of between 20 and 30 mm, preferably between 22 and 28 mm, particularly preferably 25 + / - 1 mm. Valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit, characterized in that the set comprising a valve unit according to one of the preceding claims directed to a valve unit with an actuator and, separately, a fitting with a measuring device.Set according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the set has an electronic control device and a connection from the measuring device to the control device, as well as a connection from the control device to the actuator. A home station for connecting a primary heating system in a building to a secondary heating system for a room in the building, and for coupling a control of the primary heating system to a sanitary system in the room, wherein the home station comprises a set according to one of the preceding claims directed to a set. A home station according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a housing in which at least one of the two components of the set is arranged, preferably both.

8. Home station according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control system is also arranged in the housing.

9. Method for converting a home station comprising a single-body hydraulic proportional flow regulator, wherein the introduction of an electronically controlled valve unit - the proportional flow controller is removed from the home station and - two bodies are installed at the connections of the home station that originally led to the proportional flow controller.

0. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the proportional flow controller in a sanitary system is separated from a drinking water inlet and a drinking water outlet.

1. Method according to one of the preceding claims relating to a conversion method, characterized in that the proportional flow controller in a heating system is separated from a secondary heating circuit return as an inlet, from a second return coming from a heat exchanger as a further inlet, and from a primary heating return as a common outlet.

2. Method according to one of the preceding claims relating to a conversion method, characterized in that a first body in the form of a fitting is installed in the sanitary system. 3.Method according to one of the preceding claims relating to a conversion method, characterized in that a second body in the form of a directional valve is installed in the heating system, comprising an inlet connection piece and a further inlet connection piece, as well as a common outlet connection piece, as well as a valve insert and preferably an actuator.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims relating to a conversion method, characterized in that the actuator is installed in a space between the fitting and the valve body.

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