Expansion device

Abstract

The invention relates to an expansion device (4) for connecting to a line network, in particular a water line network, having a membrane (8) which delimits a compensation space (12) the volume of which varies, said compensation space being in fluidic connection with the line network. According to the invention, the membrane (8) is arranged on a support element (5) without a housing surrounding the membrane (8), wherein the support element (5) has a connecting piece (6) for connecting to the line network, wherein the circumferential edge (9) of the membrane (8) is connected in a pressure-tight manner to the support element (5).

Description

[0001] Expansion device

[0002] The invention relates to an expansion device for connection to a pipe network, in particular a water pipe network, with a membrane which defines a volume-variable compensation chamber which is in fluid communication with the pipe network.

[0003] Expansion tanks for compensating for volume changes in piping systems are widely known. They consist of a pressure-tight container in which an elastic element is located. This element can be designed as either a flat or a bubble diaphragm, which separates the water space from a gas space, which has a certain excess pressure relative to the atmosphere and against which the water space can expand when heated in the piping system. These expansion tanks require pressure-tight housings, which makes their manufacture complex.

[0004] DE 197 35 996 CI discloses a flow-through expansion tank for absorbing temperature-related volume changes in a closed fluid system. It comprises a fluid-filled tubular element made of an elastic material connected to two fluid connections of the system and capable of expanding outward upon absorption of the volume changes or the storage volume. The tubular element is designed for direct, housing-free installation between the fluid connections of the system, with flange-shaped connections at both ends integrally formed on the tubular element. This expansion tank thus consists exclusively of an elastic, radially expandable tubular element that can be installed directly into the piping system without the need for a complex metal or plastic housing.The elastic element inevitably expands only radially when the volume of the fluid increases and contracts again when the volume decreases. However, the radial expansion capacity is limited, so only small volume changes can be compensated.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create an easily manufactured, housing-less expansion device with an increased expansion volume.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in an expansion device of the type described at the outset in that the membrane is arranged on a support element without a housing surrounding the membrane, wherein the support element has a connecting piece for connection to the pipe network, wherein the membrane is connected to the support element in a pressure-tight manner with its peripheral edge.

[0007] The expansion device therefore does not have a housing, but only a plate-shaped support element, for example, and a diaphragm. The gas volume enclosed in a pressure-tight manner in conventional expansion vessels is eliminated. Depending on the geometric design of the diaphragm, it encloses the expansion chamber together with the support element or solely, whereby the volume of the expansion chamber is variable due to the elasticity of the diaphragm. The expansion device does not require a complex pressure-tight housing and is therefore very simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Depending on the size of the piping network, multiple expansion devices can be used.

[0008] According to a first preferred embodiment, the edge of the membrane is connected all the way around in a pressure-tight manner to the plate-shaped support element and, together with the plate-shaped support element, encloses the compensation chamber. The membrane can, for example, have a half-shell shape. In order to ensure a pressure-tight compensation chamber, the membrane can be connected all the way around in a material-locking and / or force-locking manner to the plate-shaped support element. A material-locking connection is suitable, for example, if the plate-shaped support element is made of plastic. The membrane edge can then, for example, be glued or welded to the support element. In the case of a support element made of metal, the membrane edge can preferably be screwed all the way around to the support element by means of a circumferential seal and a clamping ring.

[0009] According to a second embodiment, the bubble-shaped membrane completely encloses the compensation chamber and has a nozzle-shaped area for connection to the piping network, which extends at least partially into the connecting nozzle and is connected to it in a pressure-tight manner. In this embodiment, the nozzle-shaped area of ​​the bubble-shaped membrane forms the peripheral edge of the membrane, which is connected to the connecting nozzle of the support element in a pressure-tight manner. In this embodiment, the support element can also be flat, but it can also be designed, for example, in a grid-like manner.

[0010] It is advantageous for the nozzle-shaped portion of the membrane to extend outward through the connection nozzle and act as a seal for the connection nozzle. An additional seal is then unnecessary.

[0011] In a preferred further embodiment, the membrane is partially acted upon by at least one mechanical reset element. The reset element can be integrated into the membrane.

[0012] In this case, it can be provided that the membrane is partially surrounded on the outside by at least one mechanical reset element, which is connected to the support element. This reset element can be band-shaped.

[0013] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the membrane is designed like a bellows.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, which shows

[0015] Fig. 1 an expansion device with a slightly filled compensation chamber in longitudinal section,

[0016] Fig. 2 the expansion device according to Fig. 1 with completely filled compensation chamber in longitudinal section,

[0017] Fig. 3 a modified expansion device with a slightly filled compensation chamber in longitudinal section,

[0018] Fig. 4 the expansion device according to Fig. 3 with completely filled compensation chamber in longitudinal section and in

[0019] Fig. 5 shows the expansion device according to Fig. 3 in plan view.

[0020] Of a water supply network, e.g. a heating or domestic water network, only one pipe 1 with a connection piece 2 is shown in the figures.

[0021] To compensate for volume changes of the water contained in the pipe network (indicated by lines 3), a housing-free expansion device 4 is provided.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the expansion device 4 comprises a plate-shaped support element 5 with a connecting piece 6 for a pressure-tight connection to the connecting piece 2 of the pipeline 1 of the pipeline network. For example, a screw connection with a seal 7 may be provided.

[0023] The expansion device 4 also has a flat or half-shell-shaped elastic membrane 8, which is connected to the support element 5 in a pressure-tight manner by its peripheral edge 9. For this purpose, the edge 9 of the membrane 8 is connected to the plate-shaped support element 5 in a material-locking and / or force-locking manner. In the exemplary embodiment, a peripheral annular sealing element 10 is arranged between the edge 9 of the membrane 8 and the support element 5, wherein the edge 9 of the membrane 8 is pressed against the sealing element 10 and the support element 5 via a clamping ring (not shown) and peripheral screw connections 11.

[0024] The membrane 8 and the plate-shaped support element 5 together enclose a volume-variable compensation chamber 12, which is in fluid connection with the pipeline 1 or the pipeline network via the connecting piece 6.

[0025] If the pressure in the pipe network increases, water enters the expansion device 4 and the compensation chamber 12 enlarges (Fig. 2) as the elastic membrane 8 expands due to the water pressure.

[0026] Figures 3 to 5 show a modified expansion device 4.

[0027] This expansion device 4 differs in that it additionally has at least one mechanical return element 13, which acts on the membrane 8 at least in some areas. This return element 13 can, as shown, surround the membrane 8 in some areas on the outside and is connected to the support element 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the return element 13 is band-shaped and fastened at both ends to the support element 5. It can, for example, be made of an elastic material. Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. Further embodiments are possible without departing from the basic concept. The membrane can also be bubble-shaped and completely enclose the compensation chamber.It then has a nozzle-shaped area for connection to the pipe network, which extends at least partially into the connecting nozzle 6 of the support element 5 and is connected to it in a pressure-tight manner with its (nozzle) edge.

[0028] List of reference symbols:

[0029] 1 pipeline

[0030] 2 connecting pieces

[0031] 3 Water

[0032] 4 Expansion device

[0033] 5 supporting element

[0034] 6 connecting pieces

[0035] 7 Seal

[0036] 8 Membran

[0037] 9 Edge

[0038] 10 Sealing element

[0039] 11 Screw connection

[0040] 12 Compensation space

[0041] 13 Reset element

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Expansion device for connection to a pipe network, in particular a water pipe network, with a membrane (8) which delimits a volume-variable compensation chamber (12) which is in fluid communication with the pipe network, characterized in that the membrane (8) is arranged on a support element (5) without a housing surrounding the membrane (8), wherein the support element (5) has a connecting piece (6) for connection to the pipe network, wherein the membrane (8) is connected with its peripheral edge (9) in a pressure-tight manner to the support element (5).

2. Expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge (9) of the membrane (8) is connected circumferentially in a pressure-tight manner to the plate-shaped support element (5) and, together with the plate-shaped support element (5), encloses the compensation space (12).

3. Expansion device according to claim 2, characterized in that the membrane (8) is connected circumferentially to the plate-shaped support element (5) in a material and / or force-fitting manner.

4. Expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bubble-shaped membrane completely encloses the compensation chamber (12) and has a nozzle-shaped region for connection to the pipe network, which extends at least partially into the connecting nozzle (6) and is connected to it in a pressure-tight manner.

5. Expansion device according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle-shaped region of the membrane extends outwards through the connecting nozzle (6) and is designed as a seal for the connecting nozzle (6).

6. Expansion device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the membrane (8) is partially acted upon by at least one mechanical return element (13).

7. Expansion device according to claim 6, characterized in that the membrane (8) is partially surrounded on the outside by the at least one mechanical return element (13) which is connected to the support element (5).

8. Expansion device according to claim 7, characterized in that the return element (13) is band-shaped.

9. Expansion device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the membrane is designed like a bellows.

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