Antifreeze protection process and antifreeze valve unit and / or manual filling

Abstract

Antifreeze protection method and antifreeze valve unit and / or manual filling. The invention relates to an antifreeze valve unit (1) that can be connected to an air conditioning system (22), comprising a thermostatic antifreeze valve (2) that reacts to the temperature of a fluid in contact with the antifreeze valve (2), a thermostatic valve (3) that reacts to the ambient temperature outside the antifreeze valve unit (1), an inlet port (5) for the entry of a fluid into the antifreeze valve unit (1), and a drain port (6) connected to the inlet port (5) for draining the fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1). The antifreeze valve (2) opens and closes the drain port (6) according to the fluid temperature, and the thermostatic valve (3) opens and closes, according to the ambient temperature, a first and only fluid circuit (8) between the inlet port (5) and the drain port. (6),and the thermostatic valve (3) is equipped with a handle (21) which allows the first fluid circuit (8) to be manually closed independently of the ambient temperature. Figure for the abbreviation: (Figure 3),

Description

Title of the invention: Antifreeze protection method and antifreeze valve and / or manual filling unit

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-freeze and / or manual filling valve unit which can be connected to a fluid circuit, in particular water, in residential or industrial air conditioning installations, to protect them against damage caused by freezing of the fluid and to purge and / or withdraw fluid from the installations.

[0002] Antifreeze valve units are devices known from the state of the art, which are generally inserted into pipes in which a fluid circulates, for example water supplying residential or industrial air conditioning installations, and which automatically open a discharge orifice when a temperature close to the freezing temperature of the fluid is reached, in order to drain the pipes and the installation to avoid damage to the pipes and components of the air conditioning installation.

[0003] Antifreeze valve units are provided with a thermostat, generally a wax thermostat, in which the volume of the wax varies according to the temperature of the fluid and acts on a movable shutter which closes the circuit when the temperature of the fluid is above a predefined threshold, and opens the circuit when the temperature of the fluid is below a predefined threshold. If the fluid is water, the antifreeze valve unit is calibrated to open when the temperature of the fluid is close to 0 °C.

[0004] One of the disadvantages of antifreeze valves is that they open and close depending solely on the temperature of the fluid in the pipes, without taking into account the outside temperature, which varies significantly depending on the seasons and significantly influences the risk of the fluid freezing when its temperature is close to the freezing point.

[0005] Particularly when the circulating fluid is very cold and the outside temperature is relatively high (case of cooling in summer). Antifreeze valves can trigger a draining of the fluid even in the absence of a real risk of the fluid freezing.

[0006] Another disadvantage of antifreeze valves and their use according to the state of the art is the impossibility: - to prevent the fluid from draining through the antifreeze valve by voluntary and manual control from the user, - to cause the fluid to drain independently of the fluid temperature (and therefore the position of the antifreeze valve shutter) by a voluntary and manual control of the user.

[0007] Patent EP 4006393 A1, which can be considered as a state of the art close to the present invention, describes a set of valves which combines a first thermostatic function reacting to the temperature of the fluid (traditional antifreeze valve) with a second thermostatic function reacting to the outside temperature (another thermostatic valve), in order to reduce the risk of unwanted emptying of the fluid when the temperature of the fluid approaches its freezing temperature, but the outside temperature is high enough to avoid a real risk of freezing of the fluid.

[0008] The valve assembly described in patent EP 4006393 A1 requires a specially developed valve body of complex shape and provided with five orifices, compatible with the functions of the two thermostatic valves, which makes, for example, the complete replacement of only one of the two thermostatic valves impossible without also intervening on the other thermostatic valve, given that the two thermostatic valves share the same valve body.

[0009] The object of the invention is to remedy at least some of the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the known technique.

[0010] A particular object of the invention is to provide an antifreeze and / or manual filling valve unit, which can be inserted into a fluid circuit, in particular water, in particular in residential or industrial air conditioning installations, having characteristics allowing automatic control of emptying of the fluid circuit, as a function of both the temperature of the fluid and the outside temperature, and - to prevent the fluid from draining through the antifreeze valve by voluntary and manual control from the user, and / or - to cause the fluid to drain independently of the fluid temperature by voluntary and manual command from the user.

[0011] Another particular object of the invention is to configure the antifreeze valve and / or manual filling unit in such a way as to simplify its structure and make it modular and to allow, during manufacture and assembly, the use of individually simple and reliable components that are commercially available at an advantageous cost.

[0012] Brief description of the invention

[0013] At least some of the objects of the invention are achieved by means of an anti-freeze valve unit (1) connectable to a fluid pipe, in particular of an air conditioning installation (22), said valve unit comprising:

[0014] - an antifreeze thermostatic valve (2) which reacts to the temperature of a fluid in contact with the antifreeze valve (2) itself,

[0015] - a thermostatic valve (3) which reacts to the ambient temperature outside the antifreeze valve unit (1),

[0016] - an inlet port (5) connectable to a pipe for the inlet of a fluid in the antifreeze valve unit (1),

[0017] - a drain port (6) connected to the inlet port (5) for draining the fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1),

[0018] in which:

[0019] - the antifreeze valve (2) is connected so as to open and close the drain port (6) depending on the fluid temperature,

[0020] - the thermostatic valve (3) is connected so as to open and close, depending from ambient temperature, a first and only fluid circuit (8) between the inlet port (5) and the drain port (6),

[0021] said thermostatic valve (3) further comprises a handle (21) which makes it possible to manually close the first fluid circuit (8), independently of the ambient temperature,

[0022] in which an actuating mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3) comprises:

[0023] - a shutter (17),

[0024] - a spring system (18),

[0025] - a thermostat (19) in thermal contact with the environment outside the unit of antifreeze valve (1) and set or adjustable to a room temperature value of switching thermostatic valve (3),

[0026] - said manual adjustment handle (21) interacts with the thermostat (19) and the shutter (17) and allows the value of the switching ambient temperature to be adjusted or set and, in addition, at least the first fluid circuit (8) to be manually closed, independently of the ambient temperature.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, an antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit comprises: - a thermostatic antifreeze valve (2) which reacts to the temperature of a fluid in contact with the antifreeze valve (2) itself, - a thermostatic valve (3) which reacts to the ambient temperature outside the antifreeze valve unit (1), - optionally, a filling tap (4) which can be opened and closed manually, - an inlet port (5) connectable to a pipe for the inlet of a fluid into the antifreeze valve unit (1), - a drain port (6) connected to the inlet port (5) for draining fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1), - optionally, a filling port (7) connected to the inlet port (5) for drawing fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1),

[0028] in which: - the antifreeze valve (2) is connected so as to open and close the drain port (6) depending on the temperature of the fluid, - the thermostatic valve (3) is connected so as to open and close, depending on the ambient temperature, a first and only fluid circuit (8) between the inlet port (5) and the drain port (6),

[0029] said thermostatic valve (3) further comprises a handle which makes it possible to manually close the first fluid circuit (8) between the inlet port (5) and the drain port (6), independently of the ambient temperature, - optionally, the filling tap (4) is connected and can be manually operated to close and open the filling port (7). According to another aspect of the invention, an actuating mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3) comprises:

[0030] - a shutter (17),

[0031] - a spring system (18),

[0032] - a thermostat (19) in thermal contact with the environment outside the unit of antifreeze valve (1) and set or adjustable to a switching ambient temperature value of the thermostatic valve (3), - said manual adjustment handle (21) interacts with the thermostat (19) and the shutter (17) and makes it possible to set or parameterize the switching ambient temperature value and, in addition, to manually close at least the first fluid circuit (8), independently of the ambient temperature.

[0033] The configuration of the antifreeze valve unit (1) combines the requirements of automatically controlling a drain of the fluid, depending on the temperature of the fluid and the ambient temperature, of preventing the discharge of the fluid through the antifreeze valve by means of a voluntary manual control of the user and of allowing the discharge or filling of fluid independently of the temperature of the fluid by means of a voluntary control of the user.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit comprises a heat-insulating outer casing, which can be opened and closed, the wall thickness of which is variable in order to provide a thermal insulation layer between the fluid inside the anti-freeze valve unit and the external environment, while allowing indirect and / or attenuated heat exchange of the thermostatic valve with the exterior.

[0035] Synthetic description of the figures

[0036] In order to better understand the invention and to appreciate its advantages, certain embodiments are described below by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the figures, in which: - [Fig.l] is a view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to one embodiment. - [Fig.2] is a view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig.l] in its open heat-insulating housing. - [Fig.3] is a view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig.l] without its heat-insulating housing. - [Fig.4] is a view of the heat-insulating housing alone of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig.l]. - [Fig.5] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to one embodiment, with an indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a first operating configuration. - [Fig.6] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig.5], with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a second operating configuration. - [Fig.7] represents a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module which reacts to the external temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the second operating configuration illustrated in [Fig.5]. - [Fig.8] represents a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module which reacts to the external temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the first operating configuration illustrated in [Fig.6]. - [Fig.9] represents the application of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit on the outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, for example a heat pump, according to one embodiment. - [Fig. 10] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to another embodiment, with an indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a first operating configuration. - [Fig.l 1] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig. 10], with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a second operating configuration. - [Fig. 12] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the second operating configuration illustrated in [Fig. 10]. [Fig. 13] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module which reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the first operating configuration illustrated in [Fig.l 1]. [Fig. 14] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to another embodiment, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a first operating configuration. [Fig. 15] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig. 14], with the directions of fluid flow indicated in a second operating configuration. [Fig. 16] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the second operating configuration illustrated in [Fig. 14]. [Fig. 17] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the first operating configuration illustrated in [Fig. 15]. [Fig. 18] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to another embodiment, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a first operating configuration. [Fig. 19] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig. 18], with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a second operating configuration. [Fig.20] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the second operating configuration illustrated in [Fig. 18]. [Fig.21] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the first operating configuration illustrated in [Fig. 19]. [Fig.22] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to another embodiment, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a first operating configuration. operation. - [Fig.23] is a top view of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit of [Fig.22], with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in a second operating configuration. - [Fig.24] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the second operating configuration illustrated in [Fig.22]. - [Fig.25] shows a schematic section of a thermostatic valve module that reacts to the outside temperature of the anti-freeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit, with the indication of the directions of circulation of the fluid in the first operating configuration illustrated in [Fig.23]. - [Fig.26] represents a flow diagram of the operation of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to one embodiment. - [Fig.27] and 27A represent flow diagrams of the operation of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to another embodiment compatible with the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 and 18 to 21. - [Fig.28] and 28A represent flow diagrams of the operation of the antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit according to another embodiment compatible with the embodiment of Figures 10 to 13, 14 to 17 and 22 to 25.

[0037] Detailed description of embodiments

[0038] With reference to the figures, an antifreeze and / or voluntary filling valve unit (1) is intended to be connected to a fluid pipe, in particular of an air conditioning installation.

[0039] The antifreeze valve unit (1) allows the installation of said fluid to be drained under temperature conditions such that the fluid inside the piping and the installation would risk freezing. In particular, the fluid may be water or another fluid used in residential or industrial air conditioning installations. Depending on the fluid used, the calibration temperatures of the antifreeze valve unit (1) may change, without however changing its operating principles. In the present description, water will be considered as the reference operating fluid.

[0040] The antifreeze valve unit (1) comprises: - a thermostatic antifreeze valve (2) which reacts to the temperature of a fluid in contact with the antifreeze valve (2) itself, - a thermostatic valve (3) which reacts to the ambient temperature outside of the antifreeze valve unit (1), - optionally, a filling tap (4) which can be opened and closed manually, - an inlet port (5) connectable to a pipe for the inlet of a fluid into the antifreeze valve unit (1), - a drain port (6) connected to the inlet port (5) for draining fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1), - optionally, a filling port (7) connected to the inlet port (5) for drawing fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1),

[0041] in which: - the antifreeze valve (2) is connected so as to open and close the drain port (6) depending on the temperature of the fluid, - the thermostatic valve (3) is connected so as to open and close, depending on the ambient temperature, a first and only fluid circuit (8) between the inlet port (5) and the drain port (6),

[0042] said thermostatic valve (3) further comprises a handle which makes it possible to manually close the first fluid circuit (8) between the inlet orifice (5) and the drain orifice (6), independently of the ambient temperature, - optionally, the filling tap (4) is connected and can be operated manually to close and open the filling opening (7).

[0043] The configuration of the antifreeze valve unit (1) combines the requirements of automatically controlling a drain of the fluid, depending on the temperature of the fluid and the ambient temperature, of preventing the discharge of the fluid through the antifreeze valve (2) by means of a voluntary manual control of the user and of allowing the discharge or filling of fluid independently of the temperature of the fluid by means of a voluntary control of the user.

[0044] Detailed description of the antifreeze valve (2)

[0045] According to one embodiment, the antifreeze valve (2) is configured to automatically open the drain orifice (6) when the temperature of the fluid falls below a predefined, but preferably calibrateable, threshold value, and to automatically close the first fluid circuit (8) when the temperature of the fluid exceeds the predefined threshold value.

[0046] The antifreeze valve (2) is preferably mounted, for example screwed, directly onto the drain orifice (6) ([Fig.3]).

[0047] The antifreeze valve (2) consists of an inlet and an outlet, a shutter, a spring system and a thermostat, for example made of thermo-expandable wax, in thermal contact with the fluid and calibrated or capable of being calibrated at a temperature close to the freezing temperature of the fluid, for example 2°C in the case of water.

[0048] The spring system permanently controls the shutter elastically in the open position (intrinsic safety function), thus connecting the inlet and outlet of the antifreeze valve (2), while the thermostat, as the fluid temperature increases, expands moving the shutter (against the elastic prestress) to a closed position, thus cutting off the circulation of the fluid between the inlet and the outlet, when the fluid temperature exceeds the predefined threshold value.

[0049] Detailed description of the thermostatic valve (3)

[0050] According to one embodiment, the thermostatic valve (3) is configured to automatically open the first fluid circuit (8) when the ambient temperature falls below a predefined threshold value, preferably adjustable or configurable, and to automatically close the first fluid circuit (8) when the ambient temperature exceeds the predefined threshold value.

[0051] The thermostatic valve (3) comprises a three-way, cross-shaped tubular valve body (9) (Figures 5, 6, 10, 11), which has a first tubular connecting end (10) constituting the inlet orifice (5), a second tubular connecting end (11) constituting the first fluid circuit (8), a third tubular connecting end (12) forming a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet orifice (5) and the filling orifice (7), as well as a tubular, preferably threaded, connecting seat (15) housing an actuating mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3).

[0052] The first tubular connecting end (10) and the connecting seat (15) are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a first line of the cross shape, while the second tubular connecting end (11) and the third tubular connecting end (12) are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a second line of the cross shape, transverse (perpendicular) to the first line. The valve body (9) is formed from a single piece of metal.

[0053] This configuration of the valve body (9) and a particular case of compatibility of operating temperature ranges observed by the inventors, allow the use, as thermostatic valve (3) or actuating mechanism (16), of thermostatic valves for indoor radiators or their actuating mechanisms available on the market at low cost and without the need to modify or adapt them (Figures 3, 5, 6).

[0054] According to a variant of the embodiment (with reference to the configuration of the valve body (9), (9')), the thermostatic valve (3) comprises a tubular valve body (9') in the shape of a "T" (Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25), with two ways, forming a first tubular connection end (10') which constitutes the inlet orifice (5), a second tubular connection end 11' which constitutes (in a single light) both the first fluid circuit (8) and a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7), as well as a tubular, preferably threaded, connecting seat (15') housing an actuating mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3).

[0055] The first tubular connecting end (10') and the second tubular connecting end (11') are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a first line of the "T" shape, while the connecting seat (15') forms a second line of the "T" shape, transverse (perpendicular) to the first line. The valve body (9') is made of a single piece of metal.

[0056] This configuration of the valve body (9') and the particular case of compatibility of operating temperature ranges observed by the inventors, allow the use, as thermostatic valve (3) or actuating mechanism (16), of thermostatic valves for indoor radiators or their actuating mechanisms available on the market at low cost and without it being necessary to modify or adapt them (Figures 14, 15, 22, 23).

[0057] According to another alternative embodiment (with reference to the configuration of the valve body (9), (9'), (9")), the thermostatic valve (3) comprises a two-way, "T"-shaped tubular valve body (9") (Figures 18, 19), forming a first tubular connecting end (10") and a second tubular connecting end (11") which together constitute the first fluid circuit (8) only, but which do not constitute the inlet port (5), nor a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7). The second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7) does not involve (and does not pass through) the valve body (9").

[0058] In this case also, the valve body (9”) forms a tubular connection seat (15”), preferably threaded, housing an actuating mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3).

[0059] The first tubular connecting end (10”) and the second tubular connecting end (11”) are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a first line of the “T” shape, while the connecting seat (15”) forms a second line of the “T” shape, transverse (perpendicular) to the first line. The valve body (9”) is made of a single piece of metal.

[0060] This configuration of the valve body (9”) and the particular case of compatibility of operating temperature ranges observed by the inventors, allow the use, as thermostatic valve (3) or actuating mechanism (16), of thermostatic valves for indoor radiators or their mechanisms actuation devices available on the market at low cost and without the need for modification or adaptation (Figures 18,19).

[0061] Furthermore, the configuration of the valve body (9), (9') makes the antifreeze valve unit (1) a modular unit, with distinct structural and functional units which can be optimized independently of each other, and considerably reduces the manufacturing costs of the antifreeze valve unit (1) compared to the known technique.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the actuating mechanism (16) comprises a shutter (17), a spring system (18), as well as a thermostat (19), for example made of thermo-expandable wax, in thermal contact with the environment outside the anti-freeze valve unit (1), set or adjustable to an ambient switching temperature value of the thermostatic valve (3), for example in a range between 10°C and 15°C.

[0063] The spring system (18) controls the shutter (17) permanently and elastically in an open position, opening the first fluid circuit (8), while the thermostat (19), as the ambient temperature increases, expands moving the shutter (17) (against the elastic prestress) to a closed position, thus cutting off the first fluid circuit (8) when the ambient temperature exceeds the predefined threshold value (Figures 7, 8, 12, 13).

[0064] According to one embodiment, in a closed position of the thermostatic valve (3) (corresponding, for example, to the closed position of the shutter (17)), the thermostatic valve (3) cuts off the first fluid circuit (8), but not a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet orifice (5) and the filling orifice (7) (Figures 6, 8).

[0065] According to another embodiment, in a closed position of the thermostatic valve (3) (corresponding, for example, to the closed position of the shutter (17)), the thermostatic valve (3) closes both the first fluid circuit (8) and a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7) (Figures 11, 13 and Figures 15, 17). Advantageously, in a closed position of the thermostatic valve (3) (corresponding, for example, to the closed position of the shutter (17)), the thermostatic valve (3) directly closes the passage of the inlet port (5) of the antifreeze valve unit (1) (Figures 11, 13, 15, 17, 23, 24), i.e. of the first tubular connection end (10), (10') of the valve body (9).

[0066] The thermostat (19) is in heat exchange (direct or indirect, for example, through a wall of an external housing) with the ambient environment and, advantageously, thermally insulated from the fluid inside the antifreeze valve unit (1), for example by one or more layers (20) of heat-insulating material.

[0067] The actuating mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3) further comprises a manual adjustment handle (21) which interacts with the thermostat (19) and the shutter (17) and allows adjustment or setting of the ambient temperature threshold value and, in addition, manual closing of at least the first fluid circuit (8), independently of the ambient temperature, for example to allow replacement or maintenance of the antifreeze valve (2) without having to drain the fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1) and therefore from the air conditioning installation (22) to which it is connected.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the closing of the first fluid circuit (8) by actuation of the manual adjustment handle (21) also causes the simultaneous closing of the second fluid circuit (13) (Figures 11, 13 and Figures 15, 17).

[0069] Detailed description of the filling tap (4)

[0070] According to one embodiment, the filling tap (4) comprises a tubular body (14), a valve (not shown), for example spherical, housed inside the body (14), and a handle (26) located outside the body (14) and connected to the valve for manual actuation of the latter in opening and closing. The filling tap (4) can be connected to the filling orifice (7) or form said filling orifice (7), in order to allow manual filling or evacuation of the fluid regardless of the temperature conditions.

[0071] Description of the vacuum breaker (23)

[0072] According to one embodiment, the antifreeze valve unit (1) may further comprise a vacuum breaker device (23) (known from the prior art) connected to the valve body (9), (9'), which compensates the pressure with the external environment when a depression inside the valve body (9) exceeds a threshold depression value.

[0073] The vacuum breaker (23) may be housed in a suitable additional vacuum breaker seat element, formed in the valve body (9).

[0074] Description of the modular structure

[0075] According to one embodiment, the antifreeze valve unit (1) is modular, in which each module: - antifreeze valve (2), - thermostatic valve (3), - filling tap (4), - possibly, the vacuum breaker (23),

[0076] are all: - separable from each other and individually and separately operable, replaceable and repairable, - connectable to each other by means of a threaded connection or a threaded nut.

[0077] In particular, according to one embodiment, the thermostatic valve (3) is separately and individually actuable and usable as a thermostatic valve for indoor room radiators.

[0078] According to one embodiment (Figures 3, 14, 18, 22), the antifreeze valve (2) is connected to the second tubular connection end (11), (11'), (11”) of the valve body (9), (9'), (9”), for example by inserting:

[0079] - an angled sleeve (24) (Figures 3, 18) and / or

[0080] - a “T” sleeve (25) and an angled sleeve (24) (Figures 14, 22), and / or

[0081] - a “T” sleeve (25) (Figures 14, 22).

[0082] This makes it possible to advantageously orient the drain orifice (6) downwards, and in a transverse direction relative to the adjustment handle (21), without however influencing the orientation of the adjustment handle (21).

[0083] According to one embodiment, the filling tap (4) is connected:

[0084] - at the third tubular connection end (12) ([Fig.3]) of the valve body (9), for example by means of a straight sleeve (27) ([Fig.3]), or

[0085] - at the second tubular connecting end (11') (Figures 14, 22) of the body valve (9'), for example by means of a "T" sleeve (25) (Figures 14, 22), or

[0086] - at the first tubular connecting end (10”) ([Fig. 18]) of the body of valve (9”), for example by means of a “T” sleeve (25) ([Fig.18]).

[0087] This allows the filling orifice (7) to be oriented in a transverse direction relative to the adjustment handle (21), and the tap handle (26) upwards.

[0088] According to a first embodiment ([Fig.3]), in a discharge circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2) and the drain port (6) are arranged in the following order,

[0089] while in a filling circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the filling tap (4) and the filling port (7),

[0090] in which the / a valve body (9) of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a common inlet circuit in the two separate evacuation and filling circuits.

[0091] According to a second embodiment ([Fig.14]), in a discharge circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2) and the drain port (6) are arranged in the following order,

[0092] while in a filling circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the filling tap (4) and the filling port (7),

[0093] in which a “T” sleeve placed downstream of the / a valve body (9') of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a common inlet circuit in the two separate evacuation and filling circuits.

[0094] In this embodiment, the antifreeze valve is positioned in a space interposed between the thermostatic valve (3) and the filling tap (4). Due to the de downstream of the thermostatic valve (3), the thermostatic valve (3) is functionally associated with the inlet port (5).

[0095] According to a third embodiment ([Fig. 18]), in a discharge circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2) and the drain port (6) are arranged in the following order,

[0096] while in a filling circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the filling tap (4) and the filling port (7),

[0097] in which the valve body (9”) of the thermostatic valve (3) is not involved in the filling circuit,

[0098] in which a “T” sleeve placed upstream of the / a valve body (9”) of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a common inlet circuit in the two separate evacuation and filling circuits.

[0099] According to a fourth embodiment ([Fig.22]), in a discharge circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2) and the drain port (6) are arranged in the following order,

[0100] while in a filling circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the filling tap (4) and the filling port (7),

[0101] in which a “T” sleeve placed downstream of the / a valve body (9') of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a common inlet circuit in the two separate evacuation and filling circuits.

[0102] In this embodiment, the filling valve (4) is structurally interposed in a space between the thermostatic valve (3) and the antifreeze valve (2). Due to the downstream bypass of the thermostatic valve (3), the thermostatic valve (3) is functionally associated with the inlet port (5).

[0103] Detailed description of the heat-insulating housing (28)

[0104] According to one embodiment, the antifreeze valve unit (1) further comprises a heat-insulating housing (28), which can be opened and closed, for example by means of a Velcro-type tape. The heat-insulating housing (28) protects the components of the antifreeze valve unit (1) from the weather, but may have a variation in thickness such that it allows the heat exchange of the thermostatic valve (3) (indirectly, through the wall of the heat-insulating housing (28)) with the outside.

[0105] The heat-insulating housing (28) allows the use of thermostatic valves for indoor applications as a thermostatic valve (3) of the anti-freeze valve unit (1) for outdoor use, for example on an outdoor unit of an air conditioning installation ([Fig.9]).

[0106] The heat-insulating housing (28) makes the antifreeze valve (2) less sensitive to temperature. ambient temperature and more sensitive and reactive to fluid temperature.

[0107] The heat-insulating layer of the heat-insulating housing (28) causes a response delay of the thermostatic valve (3) with respect to the evolution of the external ambient temperature, but this response delay is acceptable with reference to the operation of the thermostatic valve (3).

[0108] The heat-insulating housing (28) is particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the anti-freeze valve unit (1) is installed on an end pipe section (29) (defined as "dead arm") of a fluid circuit (30) of an air conditioning / heating / cooling installation (22), in the end pipe section (29) of which the fluid does not circulate but is stagnant during operation of said installation (22).

[0109] On the one hand, the installation of the antifreeze valve unit (1) on an end pipe section (29) makes it possible to place the antifreeze valve unit (1) at a lower point in the fluid circuit (30) of the installation (22), thus facilitating the evacuation of the fluid throughout the installation (22) and, consequently, to fully ensure its safety function. In other words, the air conditioning installation (22) advantageously comprises a fluid circuit (30) with a "dead" end pipe section (29) in which the antifreeze valve unit (1) is installed, in a lower position of the fluid circuit (30).

[0110] On the other hand, without the thermal insulation provided by the heat-insulating housing (28), when the antifreeze valve unit (1) is installed on an end pipe section (29) ("dead arm"), there is a risk that a low ambient air temperature will cool the stagnant fluid in the antifreeze valve unit (1) to a temperature (which no longer corresponds to the temperature of the fluid circulating in the fluid circuit (30) of the installation (22) and) so low that it would cause the antifreeze valve (2) to open and induce an unwanted emergency drain. [YES] Detailed description of operation

[0112] [Fig.26] illustrates the flow diagram of a first aspect of the operation of the antifreeze valve unit (1), concerning the drain function in the event of a risk of the fluid freezing.

[0113] Figures 27 and 27A illustrate the flow diagram of another aspect of the operation of the antifreeze valve unit (1), relating to both the draining function in case of risk of freezing of the fluid, and the manual filling and draining function, with reference to the embodiments of Figures 5 to 8 and 18 to 21.

[0114] Figures 28 and 28A illustrate the flow diagram of another aspect of the operation of the antifreeze valve unit (1), relating to both the draining function in case of risk of freezing of the fluid, and the manual filling and draining function, with reference to the embodiments of Figures 10 to 13, 14 to 17 and 22 to 25.

[0115] In order to better understand the different operating configurations, it is necessary to identify four different scenarios with four different conditions of temperature of the fluid contained in the air conditioning installation and ambient temperature, which vary significantly depending on the season.

[0116] The first scenario foresees that the air conditioning installation operates in winter, where the outside temperature may be below 0°C but, inside the installation, the water circulates at temperatures above 20°C for heating the rooms.

[0117] The second scenario foresees that the air conditioning installation does not operate in winter, where the outside temperature may be below 0°C but, inside the installation, the water is at low temperatures, even below 4°C.

[0118] The third scenario envisages that the air conditioning installation operates in summer, where the outside temperature may be above 20°C but, inside the installation, the water circulates at low temperatures, even below 4°C, for cooling the rooms.

[0119] The fourth scenario provides that the air conditioning installation is switched off in summer, where the outside temperature may be above 20°C but, inside the installation, the water does not circulate.

[0120] In the case of the first scenario, the temperature of the water circulating in the installation is above 20°C, therefore very far from freezing conditions, although the outside temperature may also be below 0°C. Since it is not necessary to drain the installation, the antifreeze valve unit (1) will be in the configuration shown in Figures 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, but with the antifreeze valve (2) closed. According to this configuration, the thermostatic valve (3) allows the flow of fluid to the antifreeze valve (2) (as long as the ambient temperature is below the ambient temperature threshold value), but the antifreeze valve (2) closes the drain port (6) (as long as the fluid temperature is above the fluid temperature threshold value), thus preventing the fluid from being discharged from the installation.

[0121] In the case of the second scenario, the temperature of the stagnant water in the installation is lower than 4 °C, due to the lack of operation of the installation itself. In addition, the outside temperature may be lower than 0 °C, so that there is a real risk of freezing of the water inside the installation and it is necessary to drain it to avoid damaging the pipes and components of the air conditioning installation. In this case, the antifreeze valve unit (1) is still in the configuration shown in Figures 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, but with the antifreeze valve (2) open.

[0122] According to this configuration, the thermostatic valve (3) allows the flow of the fluid to the antifreeze valve (2) (provided that the ambient temperature is lower than the ambient temperature threshold value), and the antifreeze valve (2) opens the drain port (6) (provided that the fluid temperature is lower than the fluid temperature threshold value), which causes the fluid to be discharged from the system.

[0123] In the case of the third scenario, the temperature of the water circulating in the installation is lower than 4°C, therefore close to the freezing temperature, but the outside temperature is higher than 20°C. If we only take into account the temperature of the fluid, we can think that there is a real risk of the water freezing inside the installation and that it is therefore necessary to drain it to avoid damaging the pipes and components of the installation itself. In reality, the outside temperature above 20°C and the circulation of the water mean that there is no real risk of freezing and that it is therefore not necessary to drain the installation.

[0124] In this case, the antifreeze valve unit (1) is initially in the configuration illustrated in Figures 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25.

[0125] According to this configuration, the thermostatic valve (3) does not allow the flow of fluid to the antifreeze valve (2) (insofar as the ambient temperature is higher than the ambient temperature threshold value), and the antifreeze valve (2) does not open the drain orifice (6) (insofar as the low temperature fluid does not come into contact with the antifreeze valve (2)) or opens the orifice due to its intrinsic safety function, but the evacuation of the fluid from the installation is nevertheless prevented.

[0126] Finally, in the case of the fourth scenario, the air conditioning installation is switched off, so that the water does not circulate in the pipes, and the outside temperature is furthermore higher than 20 °C. In this case, the anti-freeze valve unit (1) is in the configuration illustrated in Figures 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25.

[0127] According to this configuration, the thermostatic valve (3) does not allow the flow of fluid to the antifreeze valve (2) (insofar as the ambient temperature is higher than the ambient temperature threshold value), and the antifreeze valve (2) does not open the drain port (6) (insofar as the fluid temperature is higher than the fluid temperature threshold value or the high temperature fluid does not come into contact with the antifreeze valve (2)), thus preventing the fluid from being discharged from the installation.

[0128] It is possible that, following the triggering of an automatic drain or a manual filling, a pressure reduction condition occurs in the pipes. This pressure reduction condition prevents any water present in the pipes from flowing out through the drain port (6). The vacuum breaker (23) makes it possible to compensate the pressure inside the antifreeze valve unit (1) as well as the ambient pressure, so as to completely drain the installation to which the antifreeze valve unit (1) is connected.

[0129] In addition to the operating scenarios described so far, as shown in the flow diagrams illustrated in Figures 27, 27A, 28, 28A, the antifreeze valve unit (1) allows manual filling and emptying and avoids manual emptying regardless of temperature conditions.

[0130] Reference numbers:

[0131]

[0132]

[0133]

[0134]

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[0136]

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[0159]

[0160] Antifreeze valve unit (1) Antifreeze valve (2) Thermostatic valve (3) Filling tap (4) Inlet port (5) Drain port (6) Filling port (7) First fluid circuit (8) Valve body (9), (9'), (9”) First tubular connection end (10), (10'), (10”) Second tubular connection end (11), (11'),(11”) Third connecting tubular end (12) Second fluid circuit (13) Valve body (14) Connection seat (15), (15'), (15”) Actuating mechanism (16) Shutter (17) Spring system (18) Thermostat (19) Heat-insulating layer (20) Adjusting handle (21) Air conditioning installation (22) Vacuum breaker (23) Elbow sleeve 24 “T” sleeve (25) Valve handle (26) Straight sleeve (27) Heat-insulating housing (28) End pipe section (29) Fluid circuit (30),

Claims

Demands

1. An antifreeze valve unit (1) that can be connected to a fluid pipe, in particular to an air conditioning system (22), said valve unit comprising: - a thermostatic antifreeze valve (2) which reacts to the temperature of a fluid in contact with the antifreeze valve (2) itself, - a thermostatic valve (3) which reacts to the ambient temperature outside the antifreeze valve unit (1), - an inlet port (5) that can be connected to a pipe for the entry of a fluid into the antifreeze valve unit (1), - a drain port (6) connected to the inlet port (5) for draining the fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1), in which: - the antifreeze valve (2) is connected so as to open and close the drain port (6) depending on the fluid temperature, - the thermostatic valve (3) is connected so as to open and close, depending on the ambient temperature, a first and only fluid circuit (8) between the inlet port (5) and the drain port (6), said thermostatic valve (3) further includes a handle (21) which allows the first fluid circuit (8) to be closed manually, independently of the ambient temperature, in which an actuation mechanism (16) for the thermostatic valve (3) comprises: - a shutter (17), - a spring system (18), - a thermostat (19) in thermal contact with the external environment to the antifreeze valve unit (1) and set or adjustable to an ambient temperature value for switching the thermostatic valve (3), - said manual adjustment handle (21) interacts with the thermostat (19) and the shutter (17) and allows the switching ambient temperature value to be set or set and, in addition, to be manually closed at least the first fluid circuit (8), regardless of the ambient temperature.

2. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: - a filling tap (4) that can be opened and closed ma- manually, - a filling port (7) connected to the inlet port (5) to draw fluid from the antifreeze valve unit (1), - the filling tap (4) is connected and can be operated manually to close and open the filling port (7).

3. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to claim 2, wherein: - the antifreeze valve (2) is configured to automatically open the drain port (6) when the fluid temperature falls below a predefined threshold value, and to automatically close the first fluid circuit (8) when the fluid temperature is above the predefined threshold value, and - the thermostatic valve (3) is configured to automatically open the first fluid circuit (8) when the ambient temperature falls below a predefined threshold value, and to automatically close the first fluid circuit (8) when the ambient temperature is above the predefined threshold value.

4. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the antifreeze valve (2) is screwed into the drain port (6).

5. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the thermostatic valve (3) comprises a three-way, cross-shaped tubular valve body (9), which has a first tubular connecting end (10) forming the inlet port (5), a second tubular connecting end (11) forming the first fluid circuit (8), a third tubular connecting end (12) forming a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7), and a tubular connecting seat (15) housing an actuation mechanism (16) for the thermostatic valve (3), said valve body (9) being made of a single piece of metal.

6. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first tubular connecting end (10) and the connecting seat (15) are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a first line of the cross shape, while the second tubular connecting end (11) and the third tubular connecting end (12) are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a second line of the cross shape, transverse to the first line.

7. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the thermostatic valve (3) comprises a T-shaped, two-way tubular valve body (9') forming a first tubular connecting end (10') which constitutes the inlet port (5), a second tubular connecting end (11') which constitutes in a single light both the first fluid circuit (8) and a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7), and a tubular connecting seat (15') housing an actuation mechanism (16) for the thermostatic valve (3), the valve body (9') being made of a single piece of metal.

8. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first tubular connecting end (10') and the second tubular connecting end (11') are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a first line of the shape of "T", while the connecting seat (15') forms a second line of the shape of "T", transverse to the first line.

9. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the thermostatic valve (3) comprises a two-way, T-shaped tubular valve body (9”), forming: - a first tubular connecting end (10”) and a second tubular connecting end (11”) which together delimit the first fluid circuit (8), but which do not form the inlet port (5) or a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7), and - a tubular connecting seat (15”) housing an actuation mechanism (16) for the thermostatic valve (3), the valve body (9”) being formed from a single piece of metal.

10. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first tubular connecting end (10”) and the second tubular connecting end (11”) are arranged opposite each other, forming the ends of a first line of the shape of “T”, while the connecting seat (15”) forms a second line of the shape of “T”, transverse to the first line.

11. An antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the thermostatic valve (3) is a thermostatic radiator valve, or an actuation mechanism (16) of the thermostatic valve (3) is a mechanism actuation of a thermostatic valve for indoor radiators.

12. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that, when the thermostatic valve (3) is in the closed position, it cuts off the first fluid circuit (8) but does not close a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the fill port (7).

13. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9 and 11, characterized in that, when the thermostatic valve (3) is in the closed position, it shuts off both the first fluid circuit (8) and a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7).

14. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that, when the thermostatic valve (3) is in the closed position, it closes the inlet port (5) of the antifreeze valve unit (1).

15. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that closing the first fluid circuit (8) by actuation of the handle (21) simultaneously cuts off a second fluid circuit (13) between the inlet port (5) and the filling port (7).

16. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that: - the filling valve (4) comprises a tubular body (14), a valve housed inside the body (14), and a handle (26) located outside the body (14) and connected to the valve for manual actuation of the latter in opening and closing, - the filling valve (4) is connected to the filling orifice (7).

17. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 16, modular, wherein the modules: - antifreeze valve (2), - thermostatic valve (3), - filling valve (4), are all: - separable from each other and individually and separately actuated, replaceable and repairable, - connectable to each other by means of a threaded fitting or a threaded nut.

18. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to claim 1, modular, in which modules: - antifreeze valve (2), - thermostatic valve (3), are all: - separable from each other and individually and separately actuable, replaceable and repairable, - connectable to each other by means of a threaded fitting or a threaded nut.

19. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 18, characterized in that it comprises a thermally insulated housing (28) which can be opened and closed, the wall thickness of which is variable in order to provide a layer of thermal insulation between the fluid inside the antifreeze valve unit (1) and the external environment, while allowing indirect and / or attenuated heat exchange of the thermostatic valve (3) with the outside.

20. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, in a drain circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2) and the drain port (6), while in a fill circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the fill valve (4) and the fill port (7), in which the / a valve body (9) of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a common inlet circuit in the two separate drain and fill circuits.

21. An antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, in a drain circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2), and the drain port (6) are arranged in the following order, while in a fill circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the fill valve (4), and the fill port (7) are arranged in the following order, wherein a T-shaped sleeve located downstream of a valve body (9') of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a circuit common inlet in the two separate drainage and filling circuits.

22. Antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, in a drain circuit through the antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the thermostatic valve (3), the antifreeze valve (2) and the drain port (6), while in a fill circuit through the same antifreeze valve unit (1), are arranged in the following order the inlet port (5), the fill valve (4) and the fill port (7), in which a valve body (9”) of the thermostatic valve (3) is not involved in the fill circuit, in which a “T” sleeve placed upstream of the valve body (9”) of the thermostatic valve (3) represents a branch of a common inlet circuit in the two separate drain and fill circuits.

23. Air conditioning installation (22) comprising a fluid circuit (30) with a "dead" end pipe section (29) in which is installed, in a lower position of the fluid circuit (30), an antifreeze valve unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 22.

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