Support device for sensor, temperature measuring or monitoring device for liquid container and container including

Abstract

Support device for sensor, temperature measurement or monitoring device for liquid container and container comprising The invention relates to a support (1) for temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube (3), said support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic material, with at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction, at least one sensor (2) and for housing at least an adjoining part of its connecting cable (6).Support device (1) characterized in that the elongated and profiled body (4) has, at one of its ends, a plate-shaped portion (7) formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of said body (4) and having at least one through hole (8) aligned with said at least one groove (5). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 10.

Description

Title of the invention: Support device for a sensor, temperature measurement or monitoring device for a liquid container and container comprising

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid containers, in particular temperature-regulated ones such as hot water tanks, as well as their accessories and equipment, and has as its objects, a support device for temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s), a temperature measurement or monitoring device for a liquid container, a liquid container comprising at least one such measurement device and its manufacturing method.

[0002] Numerous embodiments of temperature-controlled liquid containers, such as hot water tanks, are already known and generally comprise an inner wall forming a sealed reservoir, an outer wall forming a casing, and an intermediate layer of insulating material located between the two aforementioned walls and usually formed by the expansion and solidification of a foaming mixture injected into the interstitial space between the two walls. These containers traditionally have a circular cylindrical shape and also include a temperature measurement or monitoring device, associated with temperature control and display means that utilize the signals it outputs.

[0003] These temperature measurement or monitoring devices often comprise a thermowell-type dip tube, at least one temperature measurement or monitoring sensor, and a support device comprising an elongated, contoured body made of plastic. The sensor(s) are held in place by elastic force and / or friction in at least one longitudinal groove in the elongated body, along with at least an adjacent portion of its connecting cable. This support device is at least partially fitted into the dip tube, with the sensor(s) in contact with the tube wall. The tube is mounted on the container in such a way that it passes through both walls of the container and at least one closed front portion of the dip tube is located inside the container to be in contact with the liquid it contains.

[0004] Such temperature measurement and monitoring devices are known for example from documents DE 298 20 671 and EP 3 842 774.

[0005] However, installing temperature measurement and monitoring devices on containers of this type, known to exist, entails, in particular, the additional use of separate covers and / or fastening means. Furthermore, condensation phenomena affecting the metallic parts of these devices may occur, from the in particular due to the absence of a closure on the outside of the plunger finger, and burrs resulting from the expansion of the insulating foam may appear.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome at least the main ones of these drawbacks.

[0007] To this end, the main object of the invention is a support device for temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s), intended to be mounted at least partially in a immersion tube, said support device comprising an elongated and profiled body made of plastic, with at least one housing in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction, at least one sensor and for housing at least an adjacent part of its connecting cable,

[0008] support device characterized in that the elongated and profiled body has, at one of its ends, a plate-shaped part formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body and having at least one through orifice aligned with said at least one groove.

[0009] The invention also relates to a temperature measurement and monitoring device and a liquid container comprising such a support device.

[0010] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0011] [Fig.IA] and [Fig.IB] are respectively perspective and top views of a liquid container, of the hot water tank type, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0012] [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view along AA of the container of the [Fig.1B];

[0013] [Fig.3] represents detail B of [Fig.2] at a different scale, showing a temperature measurement and monitoring device according to the invention mounted on the container

[0014] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view along CC and at another scale of detail B of [Fig.2]

[0015] [Fig.5A] and [Fig.5B] are perspective views along two different directions of a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the measuring device of figures 3 and 4;

[0016] [Fig.6] represents detail B of [Fig.2] at a different scale, showing a measuring device according to a constructive variant of the invention mounted on the container;

[0017] [Fig.7A] and [Fig.7B] are perspective views along two different directions of a second embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the measuring device of the [Fig.6];

[0018] [Fig-8] represents detail B of [Fig.2] at a different scale, showing a measuring device according to another constructive variant of the invention mounted on the container;

[0019] [Fig.9A] and [Fig.9B] are perspective views along two different directions of a third embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the measuring device of the [Fig.8];

[0020] [Fig. 10] represents detail B of [Fig.2] at a different scale, showing a measuring device according to another constructive variant of the invention mounted on the container;

[0021] [Fig. 11 A] and [Fig. 1 IB] are perspective views along two different directions of a fourth embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the measuring device of the [Fig. 10];

[0022] [Fig. 12] represents a cross-sectional view along AA of the container of [Fig.1B] in accordance with another embodiment of the temperature measurement and monitoring device;

[0023] [Fig. 13] represents detail B of [Fig.2] at a different scale, showing more precisely the temperature measurement and monitoring device mounted on the container;

[0024] [Fig.14A] and [Fig.14B] are perspective views along two different directions of a fourth embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the temperature measurement and monitoring device of the [Fig. 12];

[0025] [Fig. 15A] and [Fig. 15B] are perspective and section views respectively of a spacer piece acting as a watertight bulkhead fitting and through-mounting bearing, for the temperature measurement and monitoring device forming part of the container shown in figures 2 to 4.

[0026] Figures 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 show, in relation to the other figures and in accordance with different embodiments of the invention, a support device (1) for temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube (3), said support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic material, with at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction, at least one sensor (2) and for housing at least an adjoining part of its connecting cable (6).

[0027] According to the invention, the elongated and profiled body (4) has, at one of its ends (4'), a plate-shaped part (7) formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of said body (4) and having at least one through orifice (8) aligned with said at least one groove (5).

[0028] Thanks to these provisions, the invention provides a support device (1) in the form of a single piece and of simple construction, making it possible to overcome the incons The previously mentioned features. In addition to its functions as a cover and shutter, the plate-shaped body (7) also serves, firstly, as a stop for precise and secure positioning of the device, secondly, as an aid for handling and inserting the device, and finally, as a cable guide and pass-through. Furthermore, the perforated plate (7) can also contribute favorably to holding the sensor (2) - cable (6) assembly(ies) in position after their pre-mounting on the support device (1), before their insertion into a dip tube (3).

[0029] Advantageously, the elongated and profiled body (4) has at least two, preferably three, longitudinal grooves (5), of identical or non-identical sections and distributed angularly around the longitudinal axis (AL), advantageously each housing a sensor (2), the plate-shaped part (7) having as many through holes (8), each of which is aligned with a groove (5) respectively.

[0030] In order to ensure that the sensor (2), and where applicable its cable (6), is held in a releasable position, preferably under elastic stress, the housing (5) or each housing (5) has at least one mounting point (5') for clipping a sensor (2). These clips (5') may be directly molded into the grooves (5) and may constitute raised sections to ensure that the sensors (2) are in contact with the inner face of the metal wall of the immersion tube (3) at least at these points.

[0031] Although other shapes are possible, and depending also on appearance and aesthetic criteria, the plate-shaped part (7) preferentially has a circular, therefore discoidal, shape.

[0032] To prevent foam from seeping outwards (visible on the container casing) and water from seeping inwards into the dip tube (3), the plate-shaped portion (7) advantageously includes a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjacent to the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) forming or terminating in a lip seal. This skirt or lip deforms elastically and can thus conform to the external shape of the container (14) on which the support device (1) is mounted.

[0033] Alternatively, said part (7) may include a peripheral compression seal, mounted in a groove for example.

[0034] According to another possible feature of the invention and as shown in Figures 8, 10 and 11, the support device (1) may also include a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and against the plate-shaped part (7), and where appropriate inside a peripheral skirt (9) of this part (7), said washer (10) elastically sealing the orifice or orifices through (8) of said plate-shaped part (7).

[0035] This washer (10) may optionally be added to a skirt (9) forming a peripheral sealing lip and may have cross- or star-shaped cutouts complementary to the shape of the elongated body section (4) with the grooves (5).

[0036] To ensure easy assembly and secure attachment of the support device (1) in the dip tube (3) and on the container (14), without requiring any additional parts, the plate-shaped portion (7) may be provided to have, on its face (7') adjacent to the elongated body (4), hooks (11) formed as a single piece with this portion (7) (Figures 4 and 5B). These hooks (11) may, in particular, engage with a spacer piece (17) provided with additional attachment points (17').

[0037] In order to easily rotate the support device (1) around the axis (AL), for example for orienting the sensors (2) or for engaging or disengaging the aforementioned hooks (11) from their positions, the plate-shaped portion (7) may be provided to have, on its face (7”) opposite the elongated body (4), at least one attachment point (12) for driving this portion (4) in rotation around the longitudinal axis (AL) of the elongated body (4) (see [Fig. 5A]). These points may, for example, be rotationally oriented, protruding features such as V-shapes or chevrons.

[0038] The invention also relates, as shown by way of example in Figures 1 to 3, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 13, to a temperature measurement or monitoring device (13) for a liquid container (14), in particular of the hot water tank type. This device (13) comprises a probe tube (3), of the thermowell type, at least one temperature measurement or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic, said sensor(s) (2) being received with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction in at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove in said elongated body (4), as well as at least an adjoining portion of its connecting cable (6), said support device (1) being at least partially mounted with a push-fit into the probe tube (3) with the contact of the sensor(s) (2) with the wall of said tube (3).

[0039] In accordance with the invention, this measuring or monitoring device (13) is characterized in that the support device (1) is a support device as described above.

[0040] In accordance with a favorable embodiment of the invention, the measuring or monitoring device (13) comprises at least two, advantageously three, sensors (2), identical or not, each housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove (5). With three sensors (2), these can, for example, be used as follows: a first sensor provides a measurement signal for regulation, a second sensor provides a measurement signal for display, and a third sensor provides a measurement signal constituting a redundant safety or verification measure.

[0041] In accordance with a first constructive variant, illustrated in particular in figures 3, 6, 8 and 10, the elongated and streamlined body (4) is located entirely within the plunger tube (3).

[0042] In accordance with a second constructive variant, illustrated in [Fig. 13], only a part of the elongated and profiled body (4) is located in the plunger tube (3), at least the part receiving the sensor(s) (2).

[0043] The invention also relates, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 12, to a liquid container (14), in particular a hot water tank, comprising an inner wall forming a sealed reservoir (15), an outer wall forming a casing (15') and an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) located between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example polyurethane foam. This container (14) is equipped with at least one temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) comprising a probe tube (3), of the thermowell type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) with an elongated and profiled body (4) receiving said sensor(s) (2) in at least one housing (5), as well as at least an adjacent portion of its connecting cable (6).The support device (1) is at least partially mounted with a fitting in the dip tube (3), with the sensor(s) (2) in contact with the inner wall of said tube (3), and the temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) is installed on said container (14) in such a way that it passes through both walls (15, 15') of the latter and that at least a closed front portion (3') of the dip tube (3) is located in the tank (15).

[0044] According to the invention, the temperature measurement or monitoring device (13) is a device as described above and the plate-shaped part (7) of the support device (1) forming part of the temperature measurement or monitoring device (13) is supported, preferably under pressure, against the outer face of the casing (15').

[0045] This results in an assembly that is not only mechanically secure and watertight, but also aesthetically pleasing.

[0046] In accordance with a favorable construction, illustrated for example in Figures 15, in relation to Figures 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 13, the liquid container (14) may include a spacer piece (17) disposed between the inner and outer walls (15 and 15') and acting as a watertight bulkhead fitting and through-mounting bearing for the temperature measurement and monitoring device (13), this piece (17) delimiting a watertight volume around the part of the dip tube (3) and / or the elongated and profiled body (4) extending between these two walls (15 and 15'). This part (17) prevents, in particular, any potential leakage of expanding foam mixture during the creation of the insulating material layer (16) between the tank and the wall, thanks, for example, to a double sealing barrier (concentric compression seals - see figures 15A and 15B) around the passage holes of the dip tube (3) at the level of the internal and external walls (15 and 15').

[0047] As can be seen from Figures 3 to 5 and 15 considered together, the plate-shaped portion (7) may be provided to have, on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), at least two hooks (11) formed as a single piece with this portion (7), and the spacer piece (17) may include an attachment site (17') for said hooks (11), for example in the form of a cut-out plate, so as to jointly provide a removable bayonet connection, lockable and unlockable by rotation of said plate-shaped portion (7), said hook (11)-site (17') connection ensuring elastic application of the plate-shaped portion (7) against the outer wall forming the casing (15') in the locked state of said connection. The rotation between the locked and unlocked positions may, for example, be 90°.The cut-out plate forming the attachment site (17') may be made of a material having a higher density / hardness than the material of the rest of the part, although possibly of the same nature.

[0048] As previously indicated, it may further be provided that the plate-shaped part (7) has a circular shape and includes a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or ending with a lip seal and enclosing, where appropriate, a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and between the external wall forming the cladding envelope (15') and the plate-shaped part (7).

[0049] The dimensions of the hooks (11) are advantageously such that the skirt (9) is applied under pressure against the casing wall (15') in the locked state of the support device (1): it deforms elastically and conforms to the outer curve of this wall. These hooks (11) also contribute to holding the measuring device (13) in place in the event of force exerted on the cables (6), for example, in the case of snagging by a person passing near the container.

[0050] Finally, the invention relates to a manufacturing method consisting essentially of providing a sealed tank (15), equipped with the various fittings for heating and supplying and draining liquid, installing a dip tube (3) and a spacer piece (17) with a suitable passage for the tube (3), providing and fitting onto said tank (15) an external wall forming a casing (15'), which has suitable openings for the fittings and the dip tube (3) and / or the spacer piece (17), installing upper (18) and lower (18') covers to close the casing (15'), and injecting a foaming material intended to expand and form an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) between the two walls (15, 15') mentioned above, for example a polyurethane foam.

[0051] According to the invention, this method also consists of setting up by introduction to through the spacer piece (17) and by at least partial fitting into the dip tube (3), and possibly to be locked in position by rotation, a support device (1) as described above, which is equipped with at least one, preferably several, temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2).

[0052] This manufacturing process makes it possible to produce the container (14) described above.

[0053] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Support device (1) for temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube (3), said support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic, with at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction, at least one sensor (2) and for housing at least an adjoining part of its connecting cable (6), support device (1) characterized in that the elongated and profiled body (4) has, at one of its ends (4'), a plate-shaped part (7) formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of said body (4) and having at least one through orifice (8) aligned with said at least one groove (5).

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated and profiled body (4) has at least two, preferably three, longitudinal grooves (5), of identical or non-identical sections and distributed angularly around the longitudinal axis (AL), advantageously each housing a sensor (2), the plate-shaped part (7) having as many through holes (8), each of which is aligned with a groove (5) respectively.

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing or each housing (5) has at least one mounting site (5') for clipping a sensor (2).

4. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) has a circular shape and includes a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or terminating by a lip seal.

5. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it also comprises a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and against the plate-shaped part (7), and where appropriate inside a peripheral skirt (9) of this part (7), said washer (10) elastically sealing the orifice or orifices through (8) of said plate-shaped part (7).

6. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, ca- characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) has on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4) hooks (11) formed in one piece with this part (7).

7. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) has on its face (7”) opposite the elongated body (4) at least one attachment site (12) for driving this part (4) in rotation around the longitudinal axis (AL) of the elongated body (4).

8. A temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) for a liquid container (14), in particular of the hot water tank type, comprising a dip tube (3), of the thermowell type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) of plastic material, said or each sensor (2) being received with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction in at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove in said elongated body (4), as well as at least an adjoining part of its connecting cable (6), said support device (1) being at least partially mounted with a fit in the dip tube (3) with contact of the or each sensor (2) with the wall of said tube (3), a measuring or monitoring device (13) characterized in that the support device (1) is a support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A measuring or tracking device (13) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least two, advantageously three, sensors (2), identical or not, each housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove (5).

10. A measuring or monitoring device (13) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that only a part of the elongated and profiled body (4) is located in the dip tube (3), at least the part receiving the sensor(s) (2).

11. A liquid container (14), in particular a hot water tank, comprising an inner wall forming a sealed reservoir (15), an outer wall forming a casing (15'), and an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) situated between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example, polyurethane foam, said container (14) being equipped with at least one temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) comprising a dip tube (3), of the thermowell type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) with an elongated and profiled body (4) receiving said sensor(s) (2) in at least one housing (5), as well as at least an adjoining portion of its connecting cable (6), said support device (1) being at least partially mounted by insertion into the dip tube (3), with the sensor(s) (2) in contact with the inner wall of said tube (3), the temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) being installed on said container (14) such that it passes through both walls (15, 15') of the latter and at least a closed front portion (3') of the dip tube (3) is located in the tank (15), container (14) characterized in that the temperature measuring or monitoring device(s) (13) is a device according to any one of claims 8 to 10,and in that the plate-shaped portion (7) of the support device(s) (1) forming part of the temperature measuring or monitoring device(s) (13) is supported, preferably under pressure, against the outer face of the casing (15').

12. Liquid container (14) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a spacer piece (17) disposed between the inner and outer walls (15 and 15') and acting as a watertight bulkhead fitting and through-mounting bearing for the temperature measurement and monitoring device (13), this piece (17) delimiting a watertight volume around the part of the dip tube (3) and / or the elongated and profiled body (4) extending between these two walls (15 and 15').

13. Liquid container (14) according to claim 12, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) has, on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), at least two hooks (11) formed in one piece with this part (7) and in that the spacer piece (17) includes an attachment site (17') for said hooks (11), for example in the form of a cut-out plate, so as to jointly achieve a removable bayonet connection, lockable and unlockable by rotation of said plate-shaped part (7), said hook (11)-site (17') connection ensuring an application by elastic stress of the plate-shaped part (7) against the external wall forming a covering envelope (15') in the locked state of said connection.

14. Liquid container (14) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the plate-shaped portion (7) has a circular shape and includes a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or ending with a lip seal and enclosing where appropriate a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and between the external wall forming the cladding envelope (15') and the plate-shaped part (7).

15. A method for manufacturing a liquid container (14) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, essentially comprising providing a sealed tank (15), equipped with various fittings for heating and supplying and draining liquid, fitting a dip tube (3) and a spacer (17) with a suitable passage for the tube (3), fitting and slipping onto said tank (15) an outer wall forming a casing (15'), which has suitable openings for the fittings and the dip tube (3) and / or the spacer (17), fitting upper (18) and lower (18') covers to close the casing (15'), and injecting a foaming material intended to expand and form an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example polyurethane foam,method characterized in that it also consists of installing, by insertion through the spacer piece (17) and at least partial fitting into the dip tube (3), and optionally locking in position by rotation, a support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is equipped with at least one, preferably several, temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2).

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