Thermal accumulator

Abstract

Thermal accumulator The invention relates to a thermal accumulator (1) which has a central body (2) consisting of one or more modular retention units (3) connected to each other, a closure unit (4) at the bottom of the central body (2) and a closure unit (5) at the top of the central body (2); the modular units (3) and the closure units (4, 5) have flange connections (6) by means of a removable fastening, in order to connect several modular units (3) to each other in a pressure-tight manner to form the central body (2) and to connect the central body (2) to the closure units (4, 5); in this way a retention volume for liquids is defined inside the central body (2) and the closure units (4, 5); on the modular units (3) and on the units (4, 5) for closing the connection holes (18) are provided for hydraulic and electrical devices;The modular units (3) and the closure units (4, 5) are made of technopolymer. This thermal accumulator (1) is compact, lightweight, not bulky, easy to transport and assemble, versatile and reliable. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal accumulator

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal accumulator for the treatment and retention of water used in the technical or sanitary field.

[0002] Boilers that can be connected to traditional boiler systems or to heat pumps combined with photovoltaic panels are known. These boilers generally consist of a substantially cylindrical tank, made of a metallic material, such as iron or steel. The lateral surface of the tank is made from a metal sheet rolled so as to form a circular section, the sides of which are welded longitudinally. The side surface is equipped with holes to which sleeves are joined to connect the interior of the boilers to the connections of the water systems. At the base circumferences the lower bottom and the upper cover of the boiler are hermetically welded.

[0003] The internal volume can be left empty or special metal coils can be placed with the function of heat exchanger, to heat the water contained inside the tank.

[0004] For use in the sanitary field, the internal surface is coated with a layer made of an anti-corrosive material, necessary to make the internal surface of the tanks smooth and aseptic.

[0005] The outer surface of the tank is coated with an insulating material, or alternatively with a rigid molded polyurethane coating applied in production or a flexible polyurethane coating applicable before the system is put into operation.

[0006] The production and use of boilers made in this way involves a considerable loss of economic resources, also leaving a significant polluting footprint, both in terms of materials used, and in terms of energy relating to production and subsequent transformation phases, and in terms of the level of use of the boiler itself and its possible maintenance.

[0007] The production of the metal structure of the boiler involves many production phases, including cutting the sheet to size, piercing the sheet metal to connect the sleeves, forming the metal bottoms to close the boiler, and rolling the sheet. At the same time, the production involves various welding between the various parts, including welding the sheet metal to obtain the side body of the boiler, welding the upper and lower bottoms to the side body, welding the sleeves to the respective holes provided on the body lateral. To these treatments will be added any internal coatings in anti-corrosive material, the final aesthetic paint, and finally the external insulating coating.

[0008] In addition, common boilers also have transportation and installation difficulties, due to both their size and weight, and the spaces in which they are installed. In addition, boilers are made in standard sizes and the volume of water that can be contained cannot be changed after the boiler has been installed. If any physical damage occurs, such as accidental punctures or stray currents from the tank itself, the system is difficult to repair and repair operations can be very expensive.

[0009] There is therefore much room for improvement in boiler construction, in particular it is desirable to find more versatile, reliable, economical solutions, the construction and future use of which are environmentally sustainable.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to improve thermal accumulators belonging to the known art, so as to overcome the aforementioned limits.

[0011] This object is achieved by means of a thermal accumulator comprising a central body composed of one or more modular retaining units reciprocally connected to each other, a closure unit at the bottom of the central body and a top closure unit of the central body, said one or more modular retaining units and the closure units comprising flange connection elements configured to reciprocally connect in a pressure-tight manner several modular retaining units so as to form the central body and to connect the central body to the closure units, so as to define inside the central body and the closure units a retaining volume for liquids, on said one or more modular retaining units and on the closure units connection holes being provided for hydraulic and electrical devices,wherein the modular retaining units and the closing units are made of technopolymer, wherein the flange connecting elements comprise flange profiles obtained on annular edges of said one or more modular retaining units, a flange profile obtained on the bottom closing unit and a flange profile obtained on the top closing unit, the flange profiles being configured to correspond and connect to each other by means of removable clamping elements, so as to connect said one or more modular retaining units and the closing units.

[0012] In order to better understand the invention, a description of various non-limiting embodiments of the invention is given below, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a first modular thermal accumulator according to the invention in unassembled mode;

[0014] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the modular thermal accumulator of [Fig.l] in assembled mode;

[0015] [Fig.3] represents the modular thermal accumulator of [Fig.l] in partial section;

[0016] [Fig.4] represents a second modular thermal accumulator according to the invention in unassembled mode;

[0017] [Fig.5] represents the modular thermal accumulator of [Fig.4] in partial section;

[0018] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of a third modular thermal accumulator according to the invention in assembled mode;

[0019] [Fig.7] represents a perspective view of a fourth modular thermal accumulator in assembled mode;

[0020] [Fig.8] represents a perspective view of a part of the thermal accumulators according to the invention mentioned above;

[0021] [Fig.9] represents a detail of [Fig.8];

[0022] [Fig. 10] represents an additional detail of [Fig.8];

[0023] [Fig. 11] represents an additional detail of [Fig.8];

[0024] [Fig. 12] represents the part of [Fig.8] laterally;

[0025] [Fig. 13] represents the part of [Fig.8] from above;

[0026] [Fig. 14] is a side view of another part of the thermal accumulators according to the invention mentioned above;

[0027] [Fig. 15] is a bottom view of the part of [Fig. 14];

[0028] [Fig. 16] is a side view of an additional part of the accumulators thermal according to the invention mentioned above;

[0029] [Fig. 17] is a top view of the part of [Fig. 16];

[0030] [Fig. 18] is a side and sectional view of a replacement part of the part of [Fig. 14];

[0031] [Fig.19] is a bottom view of the part of [Fig.18];

[0032] [Fig.20] is a side and sectional view of a replacement part of the part of [Fig. 16];

[0033] [Fig.21] is a bottom view of the part of [Fig.20].

[0034] With reference to the attached figures, a thermal accumulator 1 of water and / or liquids in general for the sanitary, residential or industrial sector is now described. The thermal accumulator 1 according to the invention is made of plastic material with high thermal and mechanical resistance, in particular the material used is a technopolymer.

[0035] With reference to Figures 1 to 7, the thermal accumulator 1 provides a central body 2 consisting of one or more modular retaining units 3 connected to each other, a unit 4 for closing the bottom of the central body 2 and a unit 5 for closing the top of the central body 2, so as to form a reservoir body for a liquid material. The modular retaining unit 3 is shown in Figures 8 to 13. A first example of a bottom closing unit 4 is shown in Figures 14, 15. A first example of a top closing unit 5 is shown in Figures 16, 17.

[0036] The one or more modular units 3 and the closure units 4, 5 have flange connection elements 6 configured to hermetically connect several modular units 3 to each other in a pressure-tight manner by means of a suitable seal and to connect a modular unit 3 to a closure unit 4 or 5, so as to assemble a closed holding volume for liquids.

[0037] The central body 2 formed by one or more modular units 3 is configured to serve as an accumulation tank for liquids. The bottom closure unit 4 serves as a lower support for the thermal accumulator 1. The top closure unit 5 serves as an upper closure element for the thermal accumulator 1.

[0038] In a second exemplary replacement version, the bottom closure unit 4, shown in Figures 18, 19, and the top closure unit 5, shown in Figures 20, 21, have a support element 25 configured to support and stabilize the thermal accumulator 1 in a vertical position. The support element 25 has radial reinforcing ribs 26.

[0039] The flange connection elements 6 have flange connection profiles 7, 8, 9, 10, clamping holes 11 and bolt clamping elements.

[0040] The modular units 3 have a hollow volume delimited by an internal surface 12 and an external surface 13 of variable section. On the two annular base edges 14 of the hollow volume are provided two flange profiles 7, 8, which project relative to the external surface 13.

[0041] The closing units 4, 5 have a convex plate 15 which delimits a hollow volume. Flange profiles 9, 10 are provided on the base edge 16 of the closing units 4, 5. The flange profile 9 is made on the bottom closing unit 4 while the flange profile 10 is made on the top closing unit 5.

[0042] The flange profiles 7, 8 are configured to correspond and connect to the flange profiles 9, 10 of the closing units 4, 5 or to the flange profiles 7, 8 of another modular unit 3. The locking units 4, 5 have a single flange profile 9, 10 configured to correspond and connect to one of the flange profiles 7, 8 of a modular unit 3.

[0043] Clamping holes 11 are provided on the flange profiles 7 to 10 in which removable clamping elements are inserted, such as bolt clamping elements, to ensure correct fixing between modular units 3 and between modular units 3 and closing units 4, 5, and keeping the thermal accumulator 1 in position.

[0044] Annular insertion seats 17 for pressure-tight annular seals of the flange connection elements 6 are provided along the flange profiles 7-10, which, together with the fixing holes 11 and the bolt clamping elements, contribute to ensuring a tight, watertight joining and fastening between modular units 3 and between modular units 3 and closing units 4, 5.

[0045] On the modular units 3 and on the closing units 4, 5, holes 18 are provided for connecting hydraulic and electrical devices. The holes 18 have threads 19 configured to connect the pipes of the water system to the thermal accumulator 1. The hydraulic and electrical devices include, for example, pipes for connection to the water distribution network, electrical connections, sensors, for example temperature or pressure sensors, valves, for example safety valves, or the like.

[0046] The hole 18 and the thread 19 are formed on a projection 20 having a flat surface 21. The projection 20 is raised relative to the internal and external surfaces 12, 13 of the modular units 3 and relative to the internal and external surfaces of the plate 15 of the closure units 4, 5. Thanks to the presence of the projection 20, the thread 19 of the hole 18 has an adequate length in order to allow a stable pressure-tight connection of the pipes connected to the hole 18 itself. The flat surface 21 of the projection 20 guarantees a linear support surface for the pressure-tightness of the gaskets applied during installation or connection of the pipes to the water system. In addition, the projection 20 provides greater resistance to possible kinking of the various pipes connected to the thermal accumulator 1.

[0047] Depending on the types of pipe connection and the conditions of use of the thermal accumulator, it may happen that not all of the holes 18 provided are necessary. In this case, it is possible to plug these holes 18 with suitable threaded caps accompanied by a seal. If necessary, the holes 18 plugged with a plug can be reused later in the service life of the thermal accumulator 1.

[0048] The modular units 3 which constitute the central body 2 are equipped with support and reinforcement elements 22 arranged on or fixed to the internal surface 12. The support and reinforcement elements 22 help to maintain the mechanical stability of the thermal accumulator 1 if stresses and deformations occur from the outside.

[0049] Inside the central body 2 there are suitable connection parts, not visible in the attached figures, where windings or electrical resistors configured to heat the water contained in the thermal accumulator 1 can be arranged or connected.

[0050] In Figures 1 to 13 the modular retaining units 3 are cylindrical in shape. The base edges 14 are circular in shape. The annular base edges 16 of the closing units 4, 5 are circular in shape.

[0051] Modular retaining units 3 of other shapes, for example prismatic in shape with various geometrical sections (square, rectangular, rhomboidal, pentagonal or other) can be produced. In this case the closing units 4, 5 will have an annular edge 16 similar in shape to the base edges 14 of the modular units 3, so as to ensure correct centering and tightening of the respective flange connection elements 6.

[0052] In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 3, the thermal accumulator 1 has a central body 2 consisting of two modular units 3 connected together by flange, to which the bottom closing unit 4 and the top closing unit 5 are respectively connected by flange.

[0053] In a second embodiment, shown in Figures 4, 5, the thermal accumulator 1 provides a central body 2 composed of two modular units 3 connected by flange to each other, to which closing units 4, 5 having support elements 25 are respectively connected by flange.

[0054] In a third and a fourth embodiment, shown respectively in [Fig. 6] and Figures 7, the thermal accumulator 1 provides a central body 2 composed respectively of three and four modular units 3 connected by flanges to each other. The bottom closure unit 4 is connected to the modular unit at the lower end of the central body 2, indicated by 23. The top closure unit 5 is connected to the modular unit at the upper end of the central body 2, indicated by 24.

[0055] In a further possible embodiment, not shown in the attached figures, the thermal accumulator 1 provides a central body 2 composed of a single modular unit 3 to which the bottom closure unit 4 and the top closure unit 5 are connected by flange.

[0056] Generally, thermal accumulators 1 are provided consisting of as many modular retention units 3 as necessary to obtain the desired reference capacity.

[0057] As already mentioned, a technopolymer, i.e. a polymer with high physical and mechanical characteristics, is used to manufacture the thermal accumulator 1. The technopolymer to be used must be capable to withstand the maximum operating temperatures of the water contained in the thermal accumulator 1, estimated at approximately 95 °C. The technopolymer to be used must also withstand the high operating pressures typical of water distribution networks. The technopolymer has a lower thermal transmission than any metal.

[0058] Being made of polymerized material, the modular retaining units 3 and the closing units 4, 5 can be produced entirely by injection molding, with the support and reinforcement elements 22, the connecting holes 18 with the thread 19 and the projections 20 for hydraulic and electrical devices. The molded units 3, 4, 5 do not require additional treatments. Thanks to this production method, all the standard connecting and tightening holes necessary to create the thermal accumulator 1 are made entirely in a single solution in the walls of the units 3, 4, 5 during molding.

[0059] By means of molding, modular retaining units 3 and closing units 4, 5 of standard dimensions can be produced, to be subsequently assembled, so as to constitute the thermal accumulator having the desired capacity and shape, suitable for various applications.

[0060] The thermal accumulator 1 according to the invention makes it possible to reach the desired objects.

[0061] The production of the thermal accumulator 1 consists of a few simple and easily repeatable production steps. Only the production of molds in a few standard formats is required, both with regard to the modular retaining units 3 and with regard to the closing units 4, 5. Then, the constituents are molded and easily stored. Depending on the order, the warehouse groups the molded parts and accessories (bolts, gaskets, supports, plugs) necessary to assemble the thermal accumulator 1. The various parts are very light, compact and easy to store. Modular retaining units 3 and closing units 4, 5 of various diameters can be supplied in accordance with the volume of liquid that the thermal accumulator must contain.

[0062] The thermal accumulator 1 as described is versatile and dynamic, can be made "to measure", capable of adapting to different conditions of use. Thanks to the possibility of assembling units with different dimensional characteristics, it is possible to size the thermal accumulator according to the requirements and the environment where it will be installed. For example, in the case of cylindrical thermal accumulators, for the same capacity, thermal accumulators with a larger diameter and reduced height or thermal accumulators with a smaller diameter and greater height can be manufactured.

[0063] The thermal accumulator 1 is compact, lightweight, easy to transport and assemble. It can be sold already assembled or its various parts can be transported separately and subsequently assembled on site, if the transport phase of the already assembled thermal accumulator 1 is logistically complex and not practical for the operator. Being made of polymerized materials, the components to be assembled are very light to handle and transport compared to traditional boilers made of single-piece metal. Thanks to the modularity characteristic and the separate portability of the various parts, thermal accumulators of considerable capacities can therefore be installed even in confined spaces that are difficult to access with a traditional boiler made of metal material.

[0064] The assembly phase is versatile, short and intuitive: it is sufficient to put the units together to connect them by flange using simple commercially available bolts, taking care to place the respective hermetic seal between two units.Subsequently, the operator connects the respective fittings to the water distribution network to the existing threaded holes 18, without using connection sleeves. Unused holes 18 are plugged with plugs and gaskets.

[0065] The modularity of the thermal accumulator 1 allows targeted repairs on site, unlike what happens with a traditional boiler. If a fault occurs, a traditional boiler must be completely discarded and replaced with a new one; sometimes, to remove it from the assembly site, it is necessary to carry out operations in the surrounding room, for example the demolition of walls or the like. In the case of the thermal accumulator 1, after emptying it, it is possible to dismantle the entire set of components, identify the damaged unit, replace it and reassemble it on the existing structure. These operations can be carried out on site, where the thermal accumulator 1 is in place.

[0066] The modularity of the thermal accumulator also allows the capacity of the thermal accumulator to be changed as needed during its service life, by increasing or decreasing its volume, by adding or removing modular retaining units 3 in order to modify the volume of the central body 2. In the case of traditional metal boilers, this technique is not applicable, because they are obtained from a single block; if it is necessary to change the capacity of the boiler, the existing boiler must be removed and replaced.

[0067] The invention provides a heat accumulator whose production is more sustainable from an energy and environmental point of view. Since the parts are produced by injection molding, the entire production apparatus and the related metal boiler production process are no longer required. Plastic deformation machines, cutting machines and welding machines required for processing metal sheets are no longer used, with considerable energy savings. In addition, the production of the various modular components is much faster and is completed in a few minutes.

[0068] Technopolymer represents a valid alternative to metallic material in the field of application relating to thermal accumulators. The production of technopolymer has less impact from an environmental point of view than metal. In addition, technopolymer has excellent mechanical and thermal properties and is much lighter than its metallic equivalent. In addition, technopolymer is more easily recyclable than metallic material.

[0069] Finally, since the internal wall of the thermal accumulator is extremely smooth and hygienic, being made of technopolymer which is not subject to corrosion or limescale deposits, no treatment with an anti-corrosive material is necessary.]

Claims

Claims

1. A thermal accumulator (1) comprising a central body (2) composed of one or more modular retaining units (3) connected to each other reciprocally, a closure unit (4) at the bottom of the central body (2) and a closure unit (5) at the top of the central body (2), said one or more modular retaining units (3) and the closure units (4, 5) comprising flange connection elements (6) configured to reciprocally connect in a pressure-tight manner several modular retaining units (3) so as to form the central body (2) and to connect the central body (2) to the closure units (4, 5), so as to define inside the central body (2) and the closure units (4, 5) a retaining volume for liquids, on said one or more modular retaining units (3) and on the units (4,5) for closing the connection holes (18) being provided for hydraulic and electrical devices, wherein the modular retaining units (3) and the closing units (4, 5) are made of technopolymer, wherein the flange connection elements (6) comprise flange profiles (7, 8) obtained on annular edges (14) of said one or more modular retaining units (3), a flange profile (9) obtained on the bottom closing unit (4) and a flange profile (10) obtained on the top closing unit (5), the flange profiles (7 to 10) being configured to correspond and connect to each other by means of removable clamping elements, so as to connect said one or more modular retaining units (3) and the closing units (4, 5).,

2. Thermal accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the flange connection elements (6) comprise clamping holes (11) provided on the flange profiles (7 to 10) and configured to receive clamping bolts between the modular retaining units (3) and between a modular retaining unit (3) and a closing unit (4, 5).

3. A thermal accumulator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange connection elements (6) comprise annular insertion seats (17) provided on the flange profiles (7 to 10), into which pressure-tight annular seals are inserted.

4. Thermal accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection holes (18) comprise a thread (19) configured to connect hydraulic and electrical devices.

5. A heat accumulator according to claim 4, wherein the hole (18) and the thread (19) are formed on a projection (20) having a flat surface (21), the projection (20) being raised relative to the unity of external and internal surfaces of the modular retaining unit (3) and the closing units (4, 5).

6. Thermal accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the internal surfaces of the modular retaining units (3) which constitute the central body (2) support and reinforcement elements (22) configured to give mechanical stability to the central body (2) are provided.

7. Thermal accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure units (4, 5) comprise a support element (25) configured to support and stabilize the thermal accumulator (1) in a vertical position.

8. A thermal accumulator according to claim 7, wherein the support element (25) comprises radial reinforcing ribs (26).

9. Thermal accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular retaining units (3) and the closing units (4, 5) are made by injection molding of the technopolymer.

10. Thermal accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular retaining units (3) are cylindrical in shape and have two circular annular edges (14).

11. Thermal accumulator according to claim 10, wherein the closure units (4, 5) have a circular annular edge (16).

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