Device and thermostatic valve for automatic hydraulic balancing of heating or cooling circuits

Abstract

A device (100) for permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of one or more heating or cooling circuits, in particular in buildings with a heating / cooling liquid in corresponding pipeline systems, comprising a feed pipe manifold (2) and a return pipe manifold (1) in which the connecting, measuring and / or adjusting elements for each circuit are provided, comprising at least one thermostatic valve (10) which is preferably arranged in the return pipe manifold (1) and is fitted in opposite openings (3, 4) in the pipe manifold (1) in two-part form with an upper part (10.1) and a connecting piece or connection nipple (10.2) for each circuit, the connection nipple (10.2) having a valve seat (5) for a valve plate (6) of the thermostatic valve (10), by way of which opening and closing are controlled in line with the setting of the thermostatic valve (10), the connection nipple (10.2) having an adaptive control element (20) for temperature-dependent, automatic adjustment of the flow rate of heating / cooling liquid in addition to and independently of the opening and closing of the thermostatic valve (10) or another control element of the circuit in question.

Description

[0001] Device and thermostatic valve for automatic hydraulic balancing of heating or cooling circuits

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for the permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of one or more heating or cooling circuits, particularly in buildings with a heating / cooling fluid in piping systems, such as underfloor heating systems. The invention also relates to a thermostatic valve for hydraulic balancing, which can be installed in distribution devices of surface heating systems or similar systems for such applications.

[0003] Hydraulic balancing is a process by which the correct amount of heating or cooling water flowing through heating / cooling circuits of heating or cooling systems in buildings is adjusted depending on the system and components. The goal of hydraulic balancing is to ensure the most even distribution of the heating or cooling medium possible in every room or building area in order to achieve a comfortable, consistent room temperature efficiently and to save energy as much as possible.

[0004] For the purposes of hydraulic balancing, the following measures are usually taken in heating systems today:

[0005] Determining heat demand: The heat demand is first calculated for each room or area of ​​a building to determine how much heating or cooling capacity is needed.

[0006] Sizing of radiators or cooling units: Based on the heat requirement, the appropriate radiators or cooling units are then selected.

[0007] Calculating pipe lengths and diameters: Pipe systems are sized according to requirements to achieve the required flow rate. Valve adjustment: Flow rates are adjusted using valves on each radiator or cooling element to ensure that each room in the building receives the correct amount of heating or cooling. Checking and fine-tuning hydraulic balancing: After initial installation, such systems are then checked, and fine-tuning may be required to ensure that hydraulic balancing has been performed correctly and that all rooms are heated or cooled evenly.

[0008] Such hydraulic balancing of piping systems for heating or cooling purposes is important not only to achieve a consistent room temperature and increase comfort, but also to reduce energy costs by avoiding unnecessary energy consumption wherever possible. Such hydraulic balancing settings are particularly important for surface heating systems such as underfloor heating in buildings with multiple rooms or areas, where various piping networks are collectively supplied with heating water via a central heating line via so-called pipe distributors.

[0009] A problem arises when external influences affect the system or the heating habits of the operators change significantly. Furthermore, the settings of individual heating circuits during initial installation can also partially influence each other, for example, if one of several heating circuits is completely shut down or the flow rate is significantly reduced. In such a case, the flow rate in the remaining piping circuits increases, and correct hydraulic balancing in the system is no longer ensured. The consequences are unwanted overheating of individual rooms, significantly reduced energy efficiency, and a loss of comfort for the user.

[0010] Therefore, so-called dynamic or automatic control elements have been proposed in building heating systems in the prior art. These control elements react either to a change in the volume flow or the flow pressure of the heating or cooling medium. Control elements integrated into the actuator of a thermostatic valve have also been proposed. These elements, which use sensors and control elements, influence a supplementary setting of the thermostatic valve itself in addition to the normal thermostat function.

[0011] DE 10 2009 061 242 B3, for example, describes a pre-adjustable flow rate controller for heating systems in buildings. The effective flow rate in the thermostatic valve itself can be regulated for hydraulic balancing purposes using a differential pressure and a control element with a control sleeve and a control plug in the upper part of the thermostatic valve. DE 10 2018 127 381 A1 discloses a self-regulating adjustment device for such piping systems in heating / cooling circuits of buildings. An additional, complex adjustment device is also integrated into the thermostatic valve itself. Temperature sensors and a position sensor or Hall sensor are used to determine the current temperature and the position of the actuator (tappet) of the thermostatic valve, and a calculated change in the setting of the thermostatic valve is taken into account and implemented if necessary.

[0012] A disadvantage of these known control systems for hydraulic balancing in piping circuits is that the devices described are quite complex in design and therefore more expensive than standard thermostatic valves commonly used. Dynamic valves with additional sensors are quite complicated in construction, require many individual parts, and are prone to malfunctions during operation. The relatively sensitive individual components, such as sensors and control elements, are also quite costly. Even subsequent installation or replacement is only possible by completely replacing the respective valve in these devices.

[0013] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to propose a device for permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing and a suitable thermostatic valve for use in heating or cooling circuits, particularly in buildings, which allows for the simplest possible design and reliable functionality and operation, even over extended periods, with low maintenance. Furthermore, the device according to the invention should also allow reliable hydraulic balancing in such systems after initial installation without complex control elements and enable subsequent installation or addition to existing systems of this type.

[0014] This object is achieved with a device for permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing according to claim 1 and with a corresponding thermostatic valve having the features according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] According to the invention, a device for the permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of one or more heating or cooling circuits, in particular in buildings, is proposed, with a heating / cooling fluid in corresponding piping systems, with a flow pipe distributor and a return pipe distributor, in which the connection, measuring and / or adjustment elements are provided for each circuit, with at least one thermostatic valve, preferably arranged in the return pipe distributor, which is mounted in opposite openings in the pipe distributor in two-part form with an upper part and a connection piece or counter nipple for each circuit, wherein the counter nipple has a valve seat for a valve disk of the thermostatic valve, with which opening and closing is regulated according to the setting of the thermostatic valve, wherein the device is characterized in that the counter nipple has an adaptive control element for a temperature-dependent,Automatic adjustment of the flow rate of heating / cooling fluid in addition to and independently of the opening and closing of the thermostatic valve or another control element of the respective circuit. Thus, the device according to the invention does not affect the normal, proven design of the thermostatic valve itself, with an upper part and a counter-nipple mounted in the opposite opening of the pipe manifold. The thermostatic valve retains its full form and function, and only the counter-nipple contains an adaptive control element, which allows temperature-dependent, automatic adjustment of the flow rate independently of and in addition to the normal settings or the opening / closing of the thermostatic valve in the respective circuit of the heating or cooling system. Thus, a type of effective, permanent, and automatic hydraulic balancing is provided with the device according to the invention.without having to integrate a structurally complex form of a previously used control device into the thermostatic valve. Only the counterpart or the counter nipple is installed with an extra control element, which can perform an (additional) adjustment of an opening gap or similar function depending on the temperature. This means that when replacing the system from a conventional device to the device according to the invention, only the counter nipples need to be replaced, and not the thermostats themselves. The use of an adaptive control element built into the counter nipple, which can automatically adjust the flow rate depending on the temperature, i.e., without sensor signals, is also advantageous for permanently ensuring the correct hydraulic balancing of such systems. This is reliably guaranteed, even after the initial installation, in a quasi-permanent and constant manner.That the correct flow rate of heating or cooling water is always maintained in the piping system for each room or area of ​​a building. Such a device according to the invention also allows for energy savings, as unnecessary or undesirable overheating or overcooling of individual rooms due to changed conditions or external disturbances can no longer occur. Even if a specific area or individual circuit at a pipe distributor is shut down, the other, remaining circuits are not unnecessarily supplied with excessive heating / cooling water.

[0016] The temperature-dependent, automatically functioning adaptive control element according to the invention is such a control element that, for example, experiences expansion when the temperature in the circulating medium rises. If the temperature in the return pipe manifold of the respective heating circuit rises above a preset or predetermined value, this is an indication that not enough heat has been released into the room – i.e., the room is either already overheated or the flow volume in the corresponding heating circuit has changed undesirably due to external influences or changes in system components. Therefore, if the return temperature of the heating water at this point rises above a calculated base value or stored threshold, the adaptive control element of the invention reacts independently due to the temperature increase and reduces the opening of the flow element in the counter nipple.This automatically reduces the flow rate and, consequently, the return temperature accordingly. The invention thus enables a fully automatic or self-operating hydraulic balancing system in a surprisingly simple design. The device according to the invention can also be easily retrofitted and installed in existing systems. Due to the small number of individual parts, manufacturing costs are quite low, and long-term, low-maintenance, reliable hydraulic balancing is guaranteed thanks to the device's low susceptibility to failure.

[0017] The device according to the invention also offers advantages during ongoing operation: After initial installation and the first hydraulic balancing, the changes are always dynamically incorporated into the system. The device is also immune to unexpected external disturbances, for example, due to dirt or possible damage during filling or flushing of such heating or cooling systems. Last but not least, the number of adjustment movements in the device with the temperature-dependent control element is significantly reduced. As a result, the reduced adjustment movements also reduce the overall influence on the volume flow of the medium in the circuit, and the normally required control in downstream areas of the circuit is significantly reduced.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element comprises a mechanical, temperature-responsive actuator inside the mating nipple. The control element, which automatically opens or closes a passage or opening area in the mating nipple for hydraulic balancing, independent of the actual functioning of the thermostatic valve and depending on the temperature, thus comprises a mechanical element that, based on the properties of one or more of the parts of this mechanical element, generates a closing force for this hydraulic balancing function starting at a preset or predefined temperature. Various types of springs, for example, can be provided as mechanical components of such a thermally activated control element, which can expand or contract in response to a thermal change, either by themselves or with additional elements.Other components may also be provided as a mechanical element or mechanical component for the control element according to the invention, for example, closing sleeves, slide elements, disc elements, plate elements, or the like, which may be installed with or without thermally activated spring elements or other elements inside a counter-nipple of the device according to the invention. A person skilled in the art will be familiar with other mechanical components of this type that can be used for such a temperature-dependent and automatically activated control element in order to provide, with simple and few individual parts, such a functionality of closing and reopening the flow area in the counter-nipple independently of the thermostat function, in addition to the normal functionality of the thermostat valve.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element in the mating nipple comprises at least one thermally activated spring, which reversibly expands via a closing element to close the mating nipple at a predefined set temperature of the heating / cooling fluid currently flowing through the corresponding circuit. An example of such a thermally activated spring is a spring made of the material known as Nitinol. The Nitinol alloy can also optionally be modified depending on the shape and construction of the spring itself, the winding, the wire thickness of a spiral spring, etc.be selected such that the temperature-dependent setting from a set temperature is selected such that, taking into account the friction losses of the closing element, the flow cross-section of the counter nipple in the thermostatic valve of the device is automatically narrowed and closed in this temperature range. By appropriately selecting the material type, shape, and number of coils, etc. of the spring, a preset, defined temperature or temperature range can be specified that is optimally adapted to the functionality of the hydraulic balancing for the respective application, as explained at the beginning of the description of the application.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a flow gap for the heating / cooling fluid of the respective circuit is provided in the counter nipple of the thermostatic valve, i.e. in the lower part of the thermostatic valve in the return pipe distributor, which flow gap closes automatically with the control element when a predefined temperature is reached. In the normal state, i.e. at normal temperatures of the medium and with the settings made during initial installation and hydraulic balancing, the flow gap is initially fully open. Only in the event of external influences such as the closure of a parallel circuit or an undesirable sharp increase in the heating temperature in an individual room due to a user's setting, is the flow gap automatically closed with the control element according to the invention.If the preset temperature or temperature range drops again, the flow gap is opened again in reverse. The device according to the invention is therefore ideally designed and suitable for automatic adjustment of the hydraulic balance, even during operation of such systems.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element in the mating nipple of the thermostatic valve comprises a first temperature-dependent actuating element, in particular a thermo-activated spring, with or without an additional actuating element for closing the mating nipple, and a second actuating element acting in the opposite direction, in particular a conventional compression coil spring, for opening the mating nipple when the predefined temperature is undershot, which causes the opening cross-section in the mating nipple to close and open. In this way, the reaction time of the hydraulic balancing device can be further shortened. The opening and closing processes, which preferably take place within a specific temperature range, are effected more quickly than with a single actuating element or spring element.The counteraction of the compression coil spring, which can be a conventional spring, causes the counter nipple to reopen even faster when the temperature falls below the set temperature.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adaptive control element, which opens or closes depending on the temperature and independently of the actual function of the thermostatic valve, is completely integrated inside the counter nipple. The counter nipple can thus be implemented in a conventional manner with, for example, only a longer housing. As a result, there are hardly any differences between the conventional counter nipple without such a thermally activated control element according to the invention and those with such a control element. This simplifies installation. Retrofitting is just as easy. This also ensures the long-term, unimpaired functioning of the permanent hydraulic balancing according to the invention, since the control element is integrated inside and cannot be damaged by external influences such as mechanical interventions or the like.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the counter nipple has standard connections for mounting on the pipe manifold and for connecting the pipes of a piping system of the respective heating / cooling circuit. The device can thus be easily installed on existing pipe manifolds or distribution systems of radiant heating systems or building heating systems with multiple individual heating / cooling circuits. Special adaptation of the existing infrastructure of pipes, pipe manifolds, etc. is not required. This also allows for the integration of various types of additional functional elements such as flow meters, actuators, ventilation valves, etc.can easily be used together and in combination in parallel with the device according to the invention with the thermostatic valve with additional permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing, without the need for on-site adjustment of the pipe distributors or the need to use special pipe distributors.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an adjustment component, in particular an adjusting screw, is provided in the control element for fine adjustment of a preset activation temperature. In this way, with the device according to the invention and the control element thus provided, not only can the hydraulic balancing be carried out quasi-automatically and self-regulating. In addition, fine adjustments or readjustments can be made directly on the control element itself if necessary by performing a type of fine adjustment of the activation temperature via the adjustment component. Subsequent modification for the fine adjustment is also easily possible with such a measure, since, for example, an adjusting screw on the control element can thus easily be adjusted later by the installer.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element has a multi-part form with at least one temperature-dependently expanding or adjustable component. The adaptive control element for setting and maintaining the hydraulic balance in the thermostatic valve of the device according to the invention is thus provided in the form of a multi-part element with at least one temperature-dependently expanding or temperature-dependently adjusting or adjustable component. In this way, the control element can advantageously decouple the adjustment from the temperature-dependently adjusting or expanding component. In this way, the respective adjustment options can be further improved, and the design of the device is further improved with regard to the automatic hydraulic balancing of the systems.

[0025] The invention also relates to a thermostatic valve with an additional function for the permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of such heating or cooling circuits in piping systems of building heating or cooling devices, in particular for buildings or other applications, as defined in claim 10.For this purpose, the thermostatic valve has an essentially two-part shape with an upper part for mounting in a first opening for opening or closing the thermostatic valve as a whole during normal operation and also a second, separately provided connecting piece or counter-nipple, wherein the counter-nipple can be mounted in a separate second opening of the pipe distributor and has a valve seat for a valve disk of the thermostatic valve, with which the normal opening and closing of the thermostatic valve takes place according to the setting, wherein the thermostatic valve is characterized in that the counter-nipple has an adaptive control element for a temperature-dependent, automatic adjustment of the flow rate of heating / cooling fluid in the circuit in addition to and independently of the normal opening and closing of the thermostatic valve or another control or closing element of a respective circuit.The thermostatic valve according to the invention can thus, for example, also be used in combination with conventional thermostatic valves without this additional functionality on a pipe manifold. According to the invention, the thermostatic valve therefore has an adaptive control element that can automatically adjust the flow rate of a circuit depending on the temperature, while the normal functionality of the thermostatic valve, as is known, is not impaired. With the temperature-dependent setting, for example, of a preset threshold temperature for the intervention of a then necessary hydraulic balancing, the adaptive control element according to this aspect of the invention is specially designed and adapted. The control element is designed such that a separate mechanical closing occurs simply due to the increase or decrease (in refrigeration circuits) in temperature.This eliminates the need for additional components such as pressure measurement sensors or sensors for adjusting the position of a thermostatic valve's tappet to integrate this control function into the system for permanent hydraulic balancing. The thermostatic valves according to the invention can also be easily retrofitted into existing systems. This eliminates the need to adapt the existing systems, either with regard to the previously required sensors or with regard to the mechanical components.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the thermostatic valve, the control element comprises a mechanical, temperature-responsive actuator located inside the mating nipple. The difference in the valve design thus lies in the area of ​​the mating nipple, which keeps manufacturing costs quite low.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element of the thermostatic valve has at least one thermally activated spring, which reversibly expands above a predefined set temperature of the heating / cooling fluid to close the mating nipple via a closing element. Such a spring can be made of Nitinol, for example, and can be adapted to the corresponding trigger temperature in parameters such as wire thickness, number of turns, and turn pitch. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element has a first temperature-dependent actuating element, in particular a thermally activated spring, for closing the mating nipple and a second actuating element acting in the opposite direction, in particular a compression coil spring, for opening the mating nipple when the temperature falls below the predefined temperature or the predefined temperature range.This measure enables faster activation of the opening and closing of the mating nipple. For example, using an actuator with two springs, both the opening and closing processes can be carried out faster within the predefined temperature range than with just one spring. This enables faster adjustment for the hydraulic balancing of such systems.

[0028] The invention and further features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the following exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention with thermostatic valves installed in a return pipe distributor with control elements for automatic hydraulic balancing in the counter nipple and with flow meters in the flow bar;

[0030] Fig. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention with a thermostatic valve according to the invention installed in the return pipe distributor for automatic hydraulic balancing via a control element in the counter nipple in the open state; and

[0031] Fig. 3a and

[0032] Fig. 3b shows two cross-sectional views of a detail of an embodiment according to the invention with regard to the connecting piece or counter-nipple of a thermostatic valve in different states of opening / closing automatically activated by the adaptive control element, with the opening state in Fig. 3a and the closing state in Fig. 3b. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention for the permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of several, in this case five, heating circuits (or cooling circuits) with a return pipe distributor 1 and a flow pipe distributor 2 fastened underneath to the central fitting. The two pipe distributors 1, 2 are provided with respective screw connections for connection to a central heating device or a cooling device.In this embodiment, several flow meters 11 with corresponding connectors 14 are installed in opposite openings 3, 4 for the pipe connections for each of the five heating circuits in the flow manifold 2 mounted at the bottom. Elements other than flow meters 11, such as throttle elements, vent valves, etc., can also be provided in the flow manifold 2 or the return manifold 1. According to the invention, in this example, several thermostatic valves 10 for each of the five heating circuits are installed in the return manifold 1. In the device 100 according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, the thermostatic valves 10 have an upper part 10.1 which is screwed into an upper opening 3 of the return pipe distributor 1, and an underlying second part of the thermostatic valve 10 in the form of a counter nipple 10.2 or connecting piece which is mounted in a lower opening 4.According to the invention, the connecting piece or counter-nipple 10.2 is provided internally with a control element 20 according to the invention, which will be described in more detail in connection with the further Figures 2 ff. of the drawings. The thermostatic valve 10 is shown in Fig. 1 only with the basic upper part 10.1, to which the adjusting elements are conventionally screwed. Inside the upper part 10.1 of the thermostatic valve is the conventionally constructed part of the thermostatic valve, i.e. a thermostatic control element, with which the flow rate in the respective circuit, i.e. the five circuits in this example, can be varied depending on the setting of the valve 10. The counter-nipple 10 is screwed into the lower opening 4.2 is provided according to the invention with a specific control element 20 which, in addition to the normal functionality of the thermostatic valve 10, offers a function of continued, i.e. permanent, hydraulic balancing even after initial installation: For this purpose, the control element 20 has, for example, a combination of a spring 7 that can be activated from a certain preset temperature and a closing element 8 that can be actuated by the spring. Thus, the control element 20 automatically or independently closes the passage in the counter nipple 10.2 of the respective circuit as soon as a predetermined limit temperature or threshold temperature is reached or exceeded. If, however, the temperature drops again, the passage in the counter nipple 10.2 of the thermostatic valve 10 in the device 100 according to the invention automatically opens again, since the control element 20 reacts reversibly and independently to the change in the temperature in the medium.

[0033] In a detailed view, Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of such a device 100 according to the invention, which is mounted here in a return pipe distributor 1, with the thermostatic valve 10 essentially split in two for installation in the upper opening 3 and the lower, opposite opening 4. As can be seen from the detailed view of Fig. 2, each of the thermostatic valves 10 in the return pipe distributor 1 is provided with an upper part 10.1 of the thermostatic valve 10, which has a housing with outer sections for screwing into the upper opening 3 of the pipe distributor, as well as an internally mounted and adjustably arranged tappet 10.3, at the lower free end of which a valve plate 6 is located. The valve plate 6 serves to close a passage by means of the valve seat 5 in the connection piece or counter-nipple 10.2 of the thermostatic valve 10.In this respect, the function and structure of the thermostatic valve 10 in the upper part 10.1 are a standard thermostatic valve, which is already used in various designs for the purposes of such pipe manifolds and surface heating systems. However, the shape of the counter nipple 10.2 differs according to the invention due to a specific control element 20, which is fully integrated inside an outer housing part of the counter nipple 10.2, which itself is installed in the lower opening 4 of the return pipe manifold 1.

[0034] As a control element 20 for permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of the system of the device 100 according to the invention, in this embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a combination of a temperature-dependently actuatable or activatable spring 7 and a closing element 8 is provided, which closes a flow gap 9 in the counter-nipple 10.2 when a predetermined temperature is exceeded and reversibly reopens when this temperature falls below it again. Therefore, if, due to overheating of a room or another area of ​​the circulatory system, insufficient heat removal, or other external influences, such as the shutdown of another, parallel circuit, the operating conditions of the surface heating with the device 100 according to the invention change drastically, thus disrupting the hydraulic balancing, which was carried out during initial installation with fine adjustment, etc.was carried out correctly, is no longer present, the flow rate of the medium is automatically reduced or stopped by the temperature-dependent activatable control element 20. From a predetermined or calculated threshold temperature, the spring 7 expands in order to adjust the closing element 8 downwards according to the arrow in Fig. 2 and to close the flow gap 9 accordingly.

[0035] This function of hydraulic balancing by closing the counter nipple 10.2 is independent of the normal function of the thermostatic valve 10, which also closes the respective circuit via the tappet 10.3, the valve plate 6 and the valve seat 5 depending on the requirement or setting by the user. With the device 100 according to the invention, significant advantages can thus be achieved with regard to energy efficiency, control accuracy and the correct setting of a heating circuit or cooling circuit in such piping systems, in particular in surface heating systems such as underfloor heating in buildings for different rooms. The device 100 according to the invention offers permanently correct and fault-free hydraulic balancing even after initial installation, without a user or a fitter having to change the settings on the pipe distributors 1, 2 or the thermostatic valve 10.other control points of the respective circuits must be carried out separately.

[0036] Optionally, an additional, second spring or return spring 13 can be installed in the counter nipple 10.2 to support the movement of the closing element 8. When the predefined temperature for activating the temperature-dependent spring 7 is undershot, this spring also supports the upward return movement to open the flow gap 9 (see arrows in Fig. 3b). The return spring 13 is a conventional compression coil spring, which does not have to be made of a specific, temperature-dependently activated material. In this way, the opening and closing of the closing element 8 of the control element 20 can be further accelerated and faster control of the system of the device 100 can be achieved when automatic hydraulic balancing is required.

[0037] The functioning of the automatic hydraulic balancing by the control element 20 in the counter nipple 10.2 of the thermostatic valve 10 of the device 100 according to the invention is shown in detail again in two cross-sectional views in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. Fig. 3a shows the normal opening state of the flow gap 9 of the counter nipple 10.2, in which the temperature-dependently activatable spring 7 is in the non-activated initial state before an expansion occurs downward in the direction of the arrows shown. The control element 20 has a closing element 8, with which the flow gap 9 of the counter nipple 10.2 can be closed as soon as the temperature-dependently activatable spring 7 expands. Fig. 3b, in turn, shows the closed state of the counter nipple 10.2 of the device 100.The flow gap 9 is closed here by the closing element, which is pressed downward by the extended spring 7, so that the flow of heating water or cooling water in this circuit or branch of the pipe distributor 1 is no longer possible. When the temperature drops again, the control element 20 can reopen the flow gap 9 by contracting the spring 7, since the closing element 8 then moves upward (see arrows in Fig. 3b). This can optionally be achieved by a second spring 13 of a conventional type acting in the opposite direction to the spring 7, which then moves the closing element 8 upward into the open position (see Fig. 3a).

[0038] The setting of the control element 20 of the device 100 to a predefined threshold temperature or limit temperature is preferably achieved by selecting the type of thermally activated spring 7 and the closing element 8. The thermally activated spring 7 can be varied, for example, by material selection, wire thickness, number of turns, or winding shape, in order to trigger the activation of the control element 20 in the desired or predefined temperature range of the respective application for automatic, self-actuating hydraulic balancing during operation of the heating circuit or cooling circuit. A preferred material, for example, can be a spring made of Nitinol or other similar temperature-sensitive materials.By determining the wire thickness, the winding, and / or the diameter of the spring, the activation can be adjusted within a predetermined temperature window depending on the application, so that the closing and opening of the flow gap 9 in the mating nipple can be effected during operation without externally intervening controls, sensors, or actuators. Other forms of a thermally activatable element than the spring 7 can also be used within the scope of the control element 20 according to the invention, as long as they enable the flow gap 9 in the mating nipple to be automatically activated based on the temperature increase (or temperature reduction).

[0039] The advantages of the device 100 according to the invention thus lie in the efficient functionality of the hydraulic balancing and in the relatively simple design of the counter nipple 10.2, which has only minor modifications compared to the conventional, conventional connecting pieces 14, such as those installed in the flow pipe distributor 2 according to Fig. 1, for example. The counter nipple 10.2 according to the invention with the integrated control element 20 and the thermally activated spring 7 is only slightly longer in its longitudinal dimension, but has no external modifications or vulnerable connecting pieces. The device according to the invention can therefore also be easily integrated into existing systems as a retrofit part, and the hydraulic balancing of such systems can be ensured permanently without the need for regular maintenance.The device according to the invention is immune to external interference due to the significantly reduced number of additional individual elements, such as the thermally activated spring 7 and the closing element 8. Manufacturing costs are also comparatively low.

[0040] While heating circuits for buildings with corresponding pipe distributors have been described here primarily as an example, the invention can also be readily applied to other piping systems for cooling or heating purposes, for example in industrial plants, cooling systems for server farms, or the like.

[0041] 1 return pipe distributor

[0042] 2 flow pipe distributors

[0043] 3, 4 Opening (connection) pipe distributor

[0044] 5 Valve seat thermostat valve

[0045] 6 valve plate thermostatic valve

[0046] 7 thermally activated spring

[0047] 8 locking element

[0048] 9 Flow gap counter nipple

[0049] 10 Thermostatic valve

[0050] 10.1 Upper part of thermostatic valve

[0051] 10.2 Counter nipple or connecting piece thermostatic valve

[0052] 10.3 Tappet

[0053] 11 flow meters

[0054] 12 Holding fitting

[0055] 13 Compression spring or return spring

[0056] 14 connecting piece

[0057] 20 control element

[0058] 100 device

Claims

Claims 1. Device (100) for the permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of one or more heating or cooling circuits, in particular in buildings with a heating / cooling fluid in corresponding piping systems, with a flow pipe distributor (2) and a return pipe distributor (1), in which the connection, measuring and / or adjustment elements are provided for each circuit, with at least one thermostatic valve (10), preferably arranged in the return pipe distributor (1), which is mounted in opposite openings (3, 4) in the pipe distributor (1) in two-part form with an upper part (10.1) and a connection piece or counter nipple (10.2) for each circuit, wherein the counter nipple (10.2) has a valve seat (5) for a valve plate (6) of the thermostatic valve (10), with which opening and closing is regulated according to the setting of the thermostatic valve (10), characterized in that the counter nipple (10.2) an adaptive control element (20) for a temperature-dependent, automatic adjustment of the flow rate of heating / cooling fluid in addition to and independently of the opening and closing of the thermostatic valve (10) or another control element of the respective circuit.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control element (20) comprises a mechanical, temperature-responsive actuator in the interior of the counter nipple (10.2).

3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element (20) has at least one thermally activatable spring (7) which, starting from a predefined set temperature of the heating / cooling liquid, reversibly expands via a closing element (8) to close the counter nipple (10.2).

4. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the counter nipple (10.2) a control element (20) A flow gap (9) for the heating / cooling fluid is provided which closes automatically at a predefined temperature.

5. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (20) has a first temperature-dependent actuating element, in particular a thermo-activatable spring (7), for closing the counter-nipple (10.2) and a second actuating element acting in the opposite direction, in particular a compression coil spring (13), for opening the counter-nipple when the predefined temperature is undershot.

6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptive control element (20) is completely integrated inside the counter nipple (10.2).

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter nipple (10.2) has standard connections for mounting on the pipe distributor (1) and for connecting the pipes of the piping system.

8. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjustment component, in particular an adjusting screw, is provided in the control element (20) for fine adjustment of a preset activation temperature.

9. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (20) has a multi-part shape with at least one temperature-dependent expanding or adjustable component.

10. Thermostatic valve (10) with an additional function for permanent, automatic hydraulic balancing of a heating or cooling circuit with a heating / cooling liquid in a piping system, in particular for a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, with a substantially two-part form of the thermostatic valve (10) with an upper part (10.1) for a Opening and closing of the thermostatic valve (10) as a whole and a connecting piece or counter nipple (10.2), wherein the counter nipple (10.2) has a valve seat (5) for a valve plate (6) of the thermostatic valve (10), with which the opening and closing of the thermostatic valve (10) takes place in accordance with the setting of the thermostatic valve (10), characterized in that the counter nipple (10.2) has an adaptive control element (20) for a temperature-dependent, automatic adjustment of the flow rate of heating / cooling fluid in the circuit in addition to and independently of the opening and closing of the thermostatic valve (10) or another control or closing element of a respective circuit.

11. Thermostatic valve (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the control element (20) comprises a mechanical, temperature-responsive actuator in the interior of the counter nipple (10.2).

12. Thermostatic valve (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the control element (20) has at least one thermally activatable spring (7) which, from a predefined setting temperature of the heating / cooling liquid, reversibly expands via a closing element (8) to close the counter nipple (10.2).

13. Thermostatic valve (10) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the control element (20) has a first temperature-dependent actuating element, in particular a thermo-activatable spring (7), for closing the counter nipple (10.2) and a second actuating element acting in the opposite direction, in particular a compression coil spring (13), for opening the counter nipple when the predefined temperature is undershot.

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