Distribution manifold for one or more booster groups in a heat transfer fluid thermoregulation system

Abstract

Distribution manifold for one or more circulation groups in a thermoregulation system with heat transfer fluid, which system comprises at least one primary hydraulic circuit connected to at least one heat source and at least one secondary hydraulic circuit connected to at least one utility. The manifold comprises two watertight chambers (1) for the collection of the heat transfer fluid, of which a delivery chamber (10) for the collection of the heat transfer fluid being delivered from the primary circuit and a return chamber (11) for the collection of the heat transfer fluid returning to the primary circuit, and a plurality of connectors (2) configured to connect the delivery and return branches of said primary circuit respectively to the delivery chamber (10) and to the return chamber (11) and the delivery and return branches of said secondary circuits respectively to the delivery chamber (10) and to the return chamber (11) by means of said circulation groups. The manifold comprises a plurality of modular elements (3) which can be assembled together by fixing means (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns thermohydraulic or thermoregulation systems with heat transfer fluid, and in particular it concerns thermal regulation groups, also called circulation groups, used to control the distribution of the heat transfer fluid in multi-storey or multi-zone structures. A circulation group typically has one end connected to a manifold, and the other end directed towards a utility.

[0002] The present invention relates to a distribution manifold for one or more circulation groups in a thermoregulation system with heat transfer fluid. This system comprises at least one primary hydraulic circuit connected to at least one heat source and at least one secondary hydraulic circuit connected to at least one utility. The manifold comprises two watertight chambers for the collection of the heat transfer fluid, of which a delivery chamber for the collection of the heat transfer fluid being delivered from the primary circuit and a return chamber for the collection of the heat transfer fluid returning to the primary circuit. The manifold further comprises a plurality of connectors configured to connect the delivery and return branches of said primary circuit respectively to the delivery chamber and to the return chamber and the delivery and return branches of said secondary circuits respectively to the delivery chamber and to the return chamber by means of said circulation groups.

[0003] Manifolds of this type are known to the state of the art and are currently used in thermohydraulic systems comprising circulation groups.

[0004] In this type of manifolds, the connectors typically comprise a plurality of primary connectors, of which at least one primary delivery connector adapted to connect the delivery branch of the primary circuit to the delivery chamber and at least one primary return connector adapted to connect the return branch of the primary circuit to the return chamber. The connectors further comprise a plurality of secondary connectors, of which one or more secondary delivery connectors adapted to connect the delivery branch of one said secondary circuit to the delivery chamber and one or more secondary return connectors adapted to connect the return branch of one said secondary circuit to the return chamber, one said secondary delivery connector and one said secondary return connector being connected to the secondary circuit by means of one said circulation group.

[0005] Currently the manifolds are made of metal, typically steel or iron. This, however, has some technical drawbacks.

[0006] First of all, steel or iron are prone to corrosion and dispersion in the rust particle system. In addition, the difference in potential between steel and brass used in the fittings and valves leads to the so-called galvanic corrosion. The consequences of these phenomena can lead to serious damage to the system, as well as affecting its operation in any case.

[0007] Secondly, the manifold must be manufactured in a pre-established configuration, which cannot be modified in any way during installation depending on the contingent needs of the installer. This may also require significant structural changes to the system or installation area in the event that, for any reason, the pre-established configuration no longer meets the contingent installation needs.

[0008] Aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the collectors known to the state of the art and to realize a manifold with reduced costs, easily adaptable to different manufacturing and installation needs and not subject to problems of release of matter deriving from corrosion inside the system.

[0009] The present invention achieves the above aims with a manifold as described at the outset, which further comprises a plurality of modular elements which can be assembled together by fixing means.

[0010] In this way, the manifold can be easily assembled both in a phase prior to installation and also in a phase contextual to installation, in order to meet every technical need.

[0011] In one embodiment example, the modular elements are made of technopolymer.

[0012] This makes it possible to create the modular elements by moulding, with a consequent ease of production and with reduced costs.

[0013] In general, by technopolymer is meant a polymer with high physical and mechanical characteristics such as rigidity, toughness, stability at high temperatures, even under static and dynamic loads, resistance to ageing, ductility, machinability, which allow the use thereof as a structural material instead of traditional metallic materials. Technopolymers, mainly thermoplastic ones, derive also from normal polymers in which variations in composition and structure are made. Technopolymers include, among others, polyamides, polycarbonates, phenyleneoxide-based resins, acetal resins, thermoplastic polyesters, polysulfones, polyphenylsulfide, and polyetherimides.

[0014] Preferably the technopolymer used in the manifold according to the present invention is chosen in the group comprising polyamides. In particular, nylon is used.

[0015] According to an embodiment example, each modular element consists of a box-like element having two mutually opposite connection faces. Each modular element comprises two cavities separated from each other by an intermediate wall, of which a first cavity and a second cavity. Each cavity is open on both connection faces of the box-like element such that said cavity constitutes a portion of a respective said chamber.

[0016] It is thus possible to assemble two modular elements together by placing them in mutual contact on the respective connection faces. The delivery and return chambers are thus formed by the set of cavities of the individual modular elements that are contiguous to each other.

[0017] In one embodiment each modular element comprises two said connectors placed on mutually opposite sides of the box-like element and connected to the first cavity, of which a first connector connected directly to the first cavity and a second connector connected to the first cavity through a conduit that crosses the second cavity.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, each connection face of the modular element is symmetrical with respect to the axis passing through said intermediate wall in such a way that two modular elements can be assembled together by connecting the first cavity of the first modular element with the second cavity of the second modular element and the second cavity of the first modular element with the first cavity of the second modular element.

[0019] This results in the great advantage of being able to manufacture only one type of modular element and of creating the manifold by juxtaposing one another along an assembly axis a plurality of modular elements, wherein each modular element is tilted at 180° along the assembly axis with respect to the contiguous modular element.

[0020] In an embodiment example, the manifold comprises two terminal elements which can be fixed respectively to two said modular end elements, under assembled condition of the modular elements, said terminal elements being adapted to close said chambers.

[0021] This makes it possible to form the delivery and return chambers inside the manifold by joining the cavities of the individual modular elements and the closure thereof at the opposite ends made by the terminal elements.

[0022] According to a further embodiment example, at least one terminal element is provided with two connectors of connection respectively to the delivery chamber and to the return chamber.

[0023] This further increases the flexibility of use of the manifold, because it allows the installer to use, if appropriate, delivery and return manifolds, whether primary or secondary, in a lateral or "head" position to the manifold.

[0024] In one embodiment at least one gasket is interposed between two contiguous modular elements or between a modular end element and a terminal element.

[0025] In this way, the fixing means allow to hold the components of the manifold bound together in a watertight manner, correctly creating the delivery and return watertight chambers, avoiding leaks of heat transfer fluid and allowing the operation of the system.

[0026] According to an embodiment example, the outer wall of each modular element is provided with stiffening ribs.

[0027] This allows the mechanical strength of the walls to be ensured even with reduced wall thicknesses. This feature is particularly advantageous in combination with the moulding technique of the technopolymer, because it can already be envisaged in the moulds and allows to increase the mechanical performance of the technopolymer.

[0028] According to a further embodiment example, each connector may alternatively comprise a connecting shank for an open configuration or a cap for a closed configuration.

[0029] In this way, not all the connectors provided on the manifold, both on the modular elements and on the terminal elements, must be used, but it is possible to choose, even during installation, which ones to use for the connections and which ones to close.

[0030] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following disclosure of some non-limiting embodiment examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: fig. 1 illustrates a modular element; fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the manifold; figs. 3 and 4 illustrate sectional views of the manifold.

[0031] The figures illustrate a preferred embodiment example of the distribution manifold for circulation groups in a thermoregulation system with heat transfer fluid according to the present invention.

[0032] The system comprises a primary hydraulic circuit connected to a heat source, such as a boiler or a heat pump, and a plurality of secondary hydraulic circuits connected to multiple utilities, such as a radiant floor, a heating system, different areas of the building, and / or further similar utilities.

[0033] The manifold comprises two watertight chambers 1 for the collection of the heat transfer fluid, of which a delivery chamber 10 and a return chamber 11, and a plurality of connectors 2 configured to connect the delivery and return branches of the primary circuit respectively to the delivery chamber 10 and to the return chamber 11 and the delivery and return branches of the secondary circuits respectively to the delivery chamber 10 and to the return chamber 11 by means of the circulation groups.

[0034] The manifold comprises a plurality of modular elements 3 which can be assembled together by fixing means 4.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates a single modular element 3. The modular element 3 consists of a box-like element 30 having two mutually opposite connection faces 31. Each connection face is adapted to be in contact, in the assembled condition of the manifold, with a corresponding connection face of a further modular element 3 or of a terminal element 5. The modular element 3 comprises two cavities separated from each other by an intermediate wall 32, of which a first cavity 33 and a second cavity 34. Each cavity 33 and 34 is open on both connection faces 31 of the box-like element 30 such that each cavity constitutes a portion of a respective chamber.

[0036] The connection face 31 is provided with a seat 36 for a gasket 6, which seat 6 surrounds each cavity 33 and 34, also passing through the intermediate wall 32. The seat 36 is preferably a single one, with a shape substantially of an eight, but it is possible to provide two separate seats for each respective cavity 33 and 34, with two respective separate gaskets.

[0037] The connection face 31 also has fixing seats 40 for the fixing means 4, illustrated in detail below. The cavities 33 and 34 advantageously have a non-regular hexagonal section to permit to the fixing seats 40 appropriate space and mechanical strength.

[0038] The modular element 3 comprises two connectors 2 placed on mutually opposite sides of the box-like element 30 and connected to the first cavity 33. A first connector 20 is connected directly to the first cavity 33 and a second connector 21 is connected to the first cavity 33 through a conduit 22 that crosses the second cavity 34. The connectors 2 can be of any type known to the state of the art, in the example in the figure they consist of threaded bushings provided at openings in the lateral walls of the box-like body 30. The conduit 22 is preferably a cylindrical conduit provided between the second connector 21 and a through opening made in the intermediate wall 32. However, it is possible to provide a conduit 22 of another shape, for example leaning against a wall of the second cavity 34.

[0039] The outer walls of the modular element 3, in particular the two opposite walls of the box-like element not affected by the connection faces 31 and by the connectors 2, are provided with stiffening ribs 35. As illustrated in the figure, ribs 35 are provided which are preferably intersected with each other at right angles so that an alveolate reinforcement surface lattice is formed.

[0040] The modular element 3 is substantially symmetrical along a plane passing through the intermediate wall 32, if the presence of the conduit 22 is omitted. In particular, each connection face 31 of the modular element 3 is symmetrical with respect to the axis passing through the intermediate wall 32. In this way, two modular elements 3 can be assembled together by connecting the first cavity 33 of the first modular element 3 with the second cavity 34 of the second modular element 3 and the second cavity 34 of the first modular element 3 with the first cavity 33 of the second modular element 3, as can be seen in detail in figure 3.

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded overview of the manifold.

[0042] The manifold is composed by assembling a plurality of modular elements 3, which must always be in an even number starting from a minimum unit made up of two modular elements 3. The manifold further comprises two terminal elements 5 which can be fixed respectively to two modular end elements 3, under assembled condition of the modular elements 3. The terminal elements 5 are adapted to close the delivery 10 and return 11 chambers.

[0043] It is possible as an alternative to provide modular elements 3 of two types, a first type being provided with cavities 33 and 34 open on both connection faces 31 exactly as illustrated in figure 1 and a second type with cavities 33 and 34 open only on one connection face 31 and closed on the opposite face, i.e. substantially already incorporating in one piece a terminal element 5.

[0044] The terminal elements 5 are provided with two connectors 2 of connection respectively to the delivery chamber 10 and to the return chamber 11.

[0045] Figure 2 also illustrates said gasket 6 which is interposed between two contiguous modular elements 3 or between a modular end element 3 and a terminal element 5. This gasket 6 fits in both seats 36 of the connection faces 31 of the two contiguous modular elements 3. In the case of interface between modular element 3 and terminal element 5, also the connection face of terminal element 5 is provided with a corresponding seat for gasket 6. Preferably, as visible in figure 3, the seat 36 on a first connection face 31 is constituted by a groove while the seat 36 on the opposite connection face 31 is constituted by a relief insertable into a corresponding groove. In this way, an obligatory assembly direction is formed between the modular elements 3 or between modular elements 3 and terminal elements, which, however, guarantees a greater seal.

[0046] Each connector 2 may alternatively comprise a connecting shank 23 for an open configuration, as in the case illustrated in the figure of the upper connectors and of the lateral lower connectors, or a cap 24 for a closed configuration, as in the case illustrated in the figure of the central lower connectors and of the connectors of the terminal elements 5. Each connector 2 comprises a ring nut 25 for retaining the shank 23 or the cap 24. Advantageously, the ring nut 25 is in red for the connectors 2 connected to the delivery chamber 10 and in blue for the connectors 2 connected to the return chamber 11. The configuration illustrated in the figure can therefore be advantageously varied with ease to meet the needs of the system.

[0047] The modular elements 3 and the terminal elements 5 are preferably made of technopolymer. However, other materials may be used, for example metals such as aluminium.

[0048] The shanks 23 are preferably made of brass.

[0049] The manifold is provided with an insulating cover 7, consisting of lateral elements 70, adapted to overlap the modular elements 3, and terminal elements 71 adapted to overlap the terminal elements 5. The lateral elements 70 are advantageously of a size corresponding to two modular elements 3 and can be concatenated with each other depending on the overall dimensions chosen for the manifold. The material of the insulating cover 7 can be of any type known to the person skilled in the art, preferably it is expanded polypropylene.

[0050] Figure 3 shows in section the manifold in an assembled condition and allows to notice the configuration of the delivery 10 and return 11 chambers in relation to the modular elements 3.

[0051] The symmetry of the connection faces 31 of the modular element 3 ensures that two contiguous modular elements 3 can be assembled together by connecting the first cavity 33 of the first modular element 3 with the second cavity 34 of the second modular element 3 and the second cavity 34 of the first modular element 3 with the first cavity 33 of the second modular element 3. The manifold is therefore built by juxtaposing one another along an assembly axis a plurality of modular elements 3, wherein each modular element 3 is tilted at 180° along the assembly axis with respect to the contiguous modular element 3. Both the delivery chamber 10 and the return chamber 11 are therefore constituted by an alternating sequence of first cavities 33 and second cavities 34 of the modular elements, and terminal elements 5 are closed.

[0052] The primary connectors 2', adapted to connect the manifold to the primary circuit, are provided below. The primary delivery connector 2' adapted to connect the delivery branch of the primary circuit to the delivery chamber 10 is illustrated on the right and the primary return connector 2' adapted to connect the return branch of the primary circuit to the return chamber 11 is illustrated on the left. These connectors 2 are open since shanks 23 are provided, while the two central primary connectors 2' are closed by the caps 24.

[0053] The secondary connectors 2", adapted to connect the manifold to the secondary circuits by means of the circulation groups, are provided above. The secondary delivery connectors 2" are adapted to connect the delivery branch of the secondary circuits to the delivery chamber 10 and the secondary return connectors 2" are adapted to connect the return branch of the secondary circuits to the return chamber 11.

[0054] However, it is possible to use as secondary and primary connectors indifferently the upper or lower connectors provided on the modular elements 3 and also the lateral connectors provided on the terminal elements 5.

[0055] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the manifold in assembled condition adapted to illustrate in detail the fixing means 4. The fixing means are of a type known to the person skilled in the art and comprise metal pins insertable into the fixing seats 40 and adapted to engage on one side in a pawl provided with a threaded hole and on the other with a closing element activatable by means of a screwdriver. However, it is possible to provide alternative fixing means known to the person skilled in the art and adapted to guarantee a sufficient constraint for the hydraulic seal of the chambers 10 and 11.

Claims

1. Distribution manifold for one or more circulation groups in a thermoregulation system with heat transfer fluid, which system comprises at least one primary hydraulic circuit connected to at least one heat source and at least one secondary hydraulic circuit connected to at least one utility, which manifold comprises two watertight chambers (1) for the collection of the heat transfer fluid, of which a delivery chamber (10) for the collection of the heat transfer fluid being delivered from the primary circuit and a return chamber (11) for the collection of the heat transfer fluid returning to the primary circuit, and a plurality of connectors (2) configured to connect the delivery and return branches of said primary circuit respectively to the delivery chamber (10) and to the return chamber (11) and the delivery and return branches of said secondary circuits respectively to the delivery chamber (10) and to the return chamber (11) by means of said circulation groups, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modular elements (3) which can be assembled together by fixing means (4).

2. Manifold according to claim 1, wherein the modular elements (3) are made of technopolymer.

3. Manifold according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each modular element (3) consists of a box-like element (30) having two mutually opposite connection faces (31) and comprising two cavities (33, 34) separated from each other by an intermediate wall (32), of which a first cavity (33) and a second cavity (34), each cavity (33, 34) being open on both connection faces (31) of the box-like element (30) in such a way that said cavity constitutes a portion of a respective said chamber.

4. Manifold according to claim 3, wherein each modular element (3) comprises two said connectors (2) placed on mutually opposite sides of the box-like element (30) and connected to the first cavity (33), of which a first connector (20) connected directly to the first cavity (33) and a second connector (21) connected to the first cavity (33) through a conduit (22) that crosses the second cavity (34).

5. Manifold according to claim 4, wherein each connection face (31) of the modular element (3) is symmetrical with respect to the axis passing through said intermediate wall (32) in such a way that two modular elements (3) can be assembled together by connecting the first cavity (33) of the first modular element (3) with the second cavity (34) of the second modular element (3) and the second cavity (34) of the first modular element (3) with the first cavity (33) of the second modular element (3).

6. Manifold according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising two terminal elements (5) which can be fixed respectively to two said modular end elements (3), under assembled condition of the modular elements (3), said terminal elements (5) being adapted to close said chambers (10, 11).

7. Manifold according to claim 6, wherein at least one terminal element (5) is provided with two connectors (2) of connection respectively to the delivery chamber (10) and to the return chamber (11).

8. Manifold according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one gasket (6) is interposed between two contiguous modular elements (3) or between a modular end element (3) and a terminal element (5).

9. Manifold according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the outer wall of each modular element (3) is provided with stiffening ribs (35) .

10. Manifold according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each connector (2) may alternatively comprise a connecting shank (23) for an open configuration or a cap (24) for a closed configuration.

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