Heat pump with a lockable hydraulic circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pump having a hydraulic circuit comprising a flow line, a condenser and a return line, wherein components of the flow line contain a shut-off valve and a flow sensor, wherein the shut-off valve and the flow sensor are integrated into a common base body (10) through which the fluid of the hydraulic circuit flows and which has connecting parts (19, 20) to further components of the flow line.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat pump having a hydraulic circuit comprising a flow line, a condenser and a return line, wherein components of the flow line include a shut-off valve and a flow sensor.

[0002] The list here, as well as in the following, is not exhaustive and further components such as separators can also be arranged in the hydraulic circuit, in particular in the supply line of the hydraulic circuit.

[0003] The flow sensor or other devices are designed to detect the gas saturation of the heating water in the hydraulic circuit and provide a corresponding signal. In the event of an emergency, for example, a leaking condenser, the hydraulic circuit is blocked by the shut-off valve based on the signal provided, preventing heating water from entering the building heated by the heat pump.

[0004] A disadvantage of the current technology is that some of the flow components are quite bulky and require laborious assembly with connectors. They require a relatively large amount of space, compromise process reliability, are difficult to replace in the event of damage, and pose a risk of confusion during installation. Since the body of the flow sensor and the body of the shut-off valve are made of plastic or even brass, they have a relatively high base weight.

[0005] One object of the invention is therefore to meet the existing need and to create a heat pump whose flow components require little space, ensure high process reliability and easy replacement in the event of damage.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to expedient and inventive developments of this invention.

[0007] The invention accordingly provides a heat pump having a hydraulic circuit comprising a flow line, a condenser and a return line, wherein components of the flow line contain a shut-off valve and a flow sensor, and wherein the shut-off valve and the flow sensor are integrated into a common base body through which the fluid of the hydraulic circuit flows and which has connecting parts to further components of the flow line.

[0008] The inventive integration of the shut-off valve and a flow sensor into one and the same base body, which is provided with the connecting parts to other components of the flow, ensures a small space requirement for these components of the flow, since separate connecting parts are no longer required, as well as a high level of process reliability and easy replacement in the event of damage.

[0009] Further advantages of the invention include the low weight of the combination of shut-off valve, flow sensor, and common base body when implemented as a plastic component. Furthermore, the integration of the shut-off valve and flow sensor into a common base body requires less assembly effort for the individual components, resulting in savings in personnel costs. Process reliability is enhanced by the fact that fewer connectors and seals are required due to integration. Fewer components mean that they are less likely to be confused during assembly or accidentally omitted due to lack of knowledge.

[0010] In addition, installation safety is increased because there are fewer leaks at the connection points (which in turn would involve increased testing effort or repair time) and thus the average overall throughput time of the heat pump is reduced.

[0011] Since the flow sensor and shut-off valve can be positioned close to each other on / in the base body, it is possible to combine and simplify cable routing. Finally, the integration of the shut-off valve and flow sensor into a common base body ensures easier replacement in the event of a failure.

[0012] The application is specifically designed for air-to-water heat pumps. However, it can also be used with other heat pumps, such as water-to-water heat pumps, brine-to-water heat pumps, hot water heat pumps, or devices integrated with heat pumps.

[0013] Advantageous developments of the invention provide: The shut-off valve is arranged downstream of the flow sensor in a housing that is arranged on the outside of the base body and connected to it, and the shut-off valve's blocking element penetrates an opening in the base body wall. The flow sensor is arranged in the base body upstream of the shut-off valve, and a connection socket of the flow sensor is tightly inserted into a feedthrough of the base body. The feedthrough comprises a flange for receiving the connection socket, which forms part of the base body. However, the flange, which has proven advantageous, is not absolutely necessary for fastening and is also not necessarily in the position shown in the figures. The flow sensor is arranged in a section of the base body that ensures a straight flow length of the fluid. The base body has a generally cylindrical tubular shape, and the connection parts are provided at the pipe ends.An end piece of the base body, provided with one of the connecting parts, runs at an angle downstream of the shut-off valve, although non-angled runs are also conceivable in other designs. The shut-off valve is a 2-way shut-off valve. The shut-off valve is a ball valve. The ball valve has proven suitable, but other variants of a shut-off valve are also permissible. The base body is an injection-molded part or consists of several joined, in particular welded or plugged-together, injection-molded parts, preferably a plastic injection-molded part or parts.

[0014] The advantageous developments of the invention described above are optional and therefore not mandatory. However, both individually and in combination, they further develop the embodiment of the invention and therefore offer further advantages over the general embodiment.

[0015] The invention is explained in further detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing figures. They show: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a combined arrangement according to the invention of the shut-off valve and the flow sensor of a base body penetrated by the fluid of the hydraulic circuit of a heat pump on / in a base body, Fig. 2 a side view of the arrangement of Fig. 1 , and Fig. 3 a plan view of the arrangement of Fig. 1 from underneath. Identical and structurally identical parts are provided with identical reference numbers. The figures may contain simplified or schematic representations. Different views of identical parts may be scaled differently.

[0016] The Fig. 1 to 3show, by way of example, an embodiment of a combined arrangement of the shut-off valve and the flow sensor of a base body 10 through which the fluid of the hydraulic circuit of a heat pump flows. The shut-off valve is designed as a 2-way valve.

[0017] The base body 10 has a generally cylindrical tubular shape and comprises an elongated base body part 11 for accommodating the flow sensor within a first base body section 12 and the blocking element of the shut-off valve in a position downstream of the sensor within a second base body section 13, to the outer circumference of which the housing 14 of the electromotive shut-off valve is fastened by screwing, locking, gluing, or the like. The shut-off valve is, for example, a ball valve that is supplied with power and controlled via a connecting cable 15, which, in the example shown, passes through the housing 14 on one of its two narrow sides. In other housings 14, the connecting cable 15 passes through the shut-off valve on its long side or at a different position.

[0018] The flow sensor arranged in the first base body section 11 is electrically connected to a connection socket 16 for measuring signal transmission. The connection socket 16 is connected to evaluation electronics (not shown) via a connecting cable (not shown) and is attached to a flange 17 made of the same material as the first base body section. Due to its elongated shape, the first base body section 11 ensures a straight flow length, favoring a linear or constant fluid flow at the location of the flow sensor.

[0019] The base body 10 further has a short second base body part 18, which extends at an angle of 90° to the first base body part 11 and includes a connection part 19 for fluidly connecting the base body 10 to another component of the hydraulic circuit. Another such connection part 20 is provided at the other end of the first base body part 11 of the base body 10. Both connection parts 19 and 20 are designed as male or female VDA couplings, respectively, with or without anti-twist protection. Instead of VDA couplings, hose nozzles or hose sleeves can also be used for the direct connection of the base body 10 to peripheral components of the hydraulic circuit without a coupling. Finally, at least one of the connection parts 19, 20 can be connected to an adjoining component via a so-called "sheet metal feedthrough."Other coupling variants known to a specialist (m / f / d) are also conceivable, which are not described in detail here.

[0020] Instead of a 90° angle of the second base body part 18, a bend between 0° and 90° is also possible, whereby the angle can be varied depending on the final design. For example, using an interchangeable insert, the realization of several angles is also possible, including no bend, which results in a linear course of the base body 10 over its entire length. In the latter case, the outlet flow of the base body 10 is guided in a more laminar manner by means of a radius. This means, in particular, that the radius is so large that angles look more like arcs and not angled. For example, in the case of non-ideal curvatures, the radius for a 90° angle can correspond to at least five times the diameter. Other values ​​known to the specialist (m / f / d) are also feasible.Because the sensor and the shut-off valve can be positioned close to each other on / in the base body 10, it is possible to bring together connecting and connection cables and to simplify them structurally.

[0021] To secure the base body 10, a screw-on dome or a fastening element 21 designed as a tab is provided, which can be made of the same material as the base body 10. Other fastening elements, such as bushings, threads, catches, and hooks, are also possible. The position and type of fastening are not limited to this, and other positions and types of fastening that can be implemented by a specialist (m / f / d), such as a fastening option via a female standard connector, are also conceivable.

[0022] Reference numeral 22 indicates an arrow symbol on the outer circumference of the base body 10 to indicate the direction of fluid flow, visually ensuring correct assembly of the body. This marking can be omitted if the overall geometry is clear. A different design of the marking is also possible, for example, to meet the requirements of electronic process monitoring. List of reference symbols

[0023] 10Base body 11First base body part 12First base body section 13Second base body section 14Housing 15Connecting cable 16Connection socket 17Flange 18Second base body part 19, 20Connecting part 21Fastening element 22Arrow symbol

Claims

1. A heat pump comprising a hydraulic circuit comprising a flow line, a condenser and a return line, wherein components of the flow line include a shut-off valve and a flow sensor, characterized in that the shut-off valve and the flow sensor are integrated into a common base body (10) through which the fluid of the hydraulic circuit flows and which has connecting parts (19, 20) to further components of the flow line.

2. Heat pump according to claim 1, wherein the shut-off valve is arranged downstream of the flow sensor in a housing (14) which is arranged externally on the base body (10) and connected thereto, and wherein the blocking element of the shut-off valve passes through an opening in the base body wall.

3. Heat pump according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow sensor is arranged in the base body (10) upstream of the shut-off valve, and wherein a connection socket (16) of the flow sensor is tightly inserted into a passage of the base body (10).

4. Heat pump according to claim 3, wherein the feedthrough comprises a flange (17) for receiving the connection socket, which forms a component of the base body (10).

5. Heat pump according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flow sensor is arranged in a straight first base body section (12) of the base body (10), which ensures a straight flow length of the fluid.

6. Heat pump according to claim 1, wherein the base body (10) has a generally cylindrical tubular shape, and the connecting parts (19, 20) are provided at the tube ends.

7. Heat pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump is designed as an air-water heat pump.

8. Heat pump according to claim 6, wherein an end piece (second base body part (18)) of the base body (10) provided with one of the connection parts (19, 20) extends at an angle downstream of the shut-off valve.

9. Heat pump according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shut-off valve is a 2-way shut-off valve.

10. Heat pump according to claim 9, wherein the shut-off valve is a ball valve.

11. Heat pump according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the base body (10) is an injection-molded part or has a plurality of joined, in particular welded or plugged, injection-molded parts.

12. Heat pump according to claim 11, wherein the injection-molded part(s) are plastic injection-molded parts.

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