Deaerator for the elimination of air from a fluid, particularly for heat transfer fluids of air conditioning systems

The deaerator design with cyclonic motion and magnetic attraction addresses air trapping and mesh clogging issues, enhancing efficiency and ease of installation in air conditioning systems.

WO2025253245A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-12-11HCE SRL
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/IB2025/055560
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-06-03
Filing Date
2025-05-29
Publication Date
2025-12-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing deaerators for air conditioning systems are limited by incomplete air removal, central vortex trapping, bulkiness, difficulty in installation, and mesh filter clogging, leading to reduced flow rates and system inefficiencies.

Method used

A deaerator design with non-radial inlet ports inducing cyclonic motion, centrifugal separation of particles, magnetic attraction of ferrous particles, and coaxial fittings for easy installation, ensuring efficient bubble and particle removal.

Benefits of technology

Optimizes microbubble removal, maintains high flow rates, and reduces mesh filter clogging, facilitating easy installation even in confined spaces.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure IB2025055560_11122025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure IB2025055560_11122025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a deaerator (10) for removing air from a fluid, particularly for heat transfer fluids of air conditioning systems, comprising - an inlet connection (11 ) and an outlet connection (12) - a pass-through body (13) comprising an inlet port (14) to which said inlet connection (11 ) is connected, and an outlet port (15) to which said outlet connection (12) is connected - a de-aeration chamber (16), defined within said transit passageway (13) connected to said inlet port (14) and to said outlet port (15) - a rising chamber (17), defined within said transit body (13) and above said de-aeration chamber (16), said rising chamber being configured to receive the rising air from the underlying de-aeration chamber (16) with which it is in communication, - means of venting (18), said venting means being configured to allow the air removed by the fluid treated in said deaeration chamber (16) to escape from said rising chamber (17) to the external environment. The deaerator (10) is configured to divert a flow of fluid (A) entering from said inlet port (14) substantially tangentially toward the inner surface (16a) of said deaeration chamber (16) and downwardly, so as to induce in said flow of incoming fluid a vortical, or cyclonic, downward motion.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] DEAERATOR FOR THE ELIMINATION OF AIR FROM A FLUID, PARTICULARLY FOR HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a cyclonic deaerator for removing air particularly from a heat transfer fluid of an air conditioning system.

[0005] Background

[0006] Air may be present within a heating or cooling system for a variety of reasons, i.e. , air may already be present within the system during the filling phase and has not been adequately vented from the system, or air in solution in water tends to be released due to an increase in temperature, or, again, air increases with decreasing pressure, such as near the suction of circulators or in section constrictions.

[0007] The presence of air inside the system can cause corrosion of the internal parts of the pipes, lead to malfunctions and breakages of the components installed on the system, such as circulators, as well as decrease the energy efficiency of the radiant elements and cause noise.

[0008] It is also well known that in general a thermal fluid circulating in a heating or cooling system tends to drag in a quantity of particles due both to dirt present or formed in the fluid itself, and to ferrous particles formed due to the internal corrosion of metal pipes, radiators and / or other equipment in a heating system.

[0009] If these dirt and / or particles due to corrosion are not removed, they tend to accumulate in critical parts of the system, e.g. at valves and / or fluid circulation pumps, altering the system's design parameters to the point of causing the system itself to shut down.

[0010] To remedy such problems in air-conditioning and heating systems, the use of devices generally known as 'deaerators' is now widely known and widespread. The deaerator is a device suitable for use on heating or cooling systems, configured to eliminate bubbles and micro-bubbles present within the circuit.

[0011] The circulation of deaerated water allows systems to operate under optimal conditions without problems of noise, corrosion, localised overheating and mechanical damage. The deaerators known today generally comprise:

[0012] - an inlet fitting, configured for connection to an inlet pipe,

[0013] - an outlet fitting, configured for connection to an outlet pipe,

[0014] - a transit body, into which the fluid to be de-aerated, typically water, enters from the inlet fitting and exits from the outlet fitting,

[0015] - a deaeration chamber, which is defined inside the transit body, a vent cover, which is defined above the deaeration chamber and is configured to allow the air removed from the treated fluid in the deaeration chamber to exit into the environment.

[0016] In particular, it is known today a type of deaerators configured in such a way that a particular positioning of the fittings induces a downward rotary motion in the fluid inside the deaeration chamber, as a result of which, in a central part of the transit body, an air collection zone is formed in which the microbubbles of air present in the fluid in transit are concentrated, being the microbubbles lighter than the water that is instead pushed towards and against the walls of the deaeration body.

[0017] The air coming out of the fluid tends to rise from the collection area, at the center of the transit body, towards the vent cover; the vent valve is normally closed, and its opening is achieved by means of a downward displacement of a float resting on the fluid in the deaeration chamber; in fact, during deaeration the fluid level in the deaeration chamber lowers and with it the float, whose downward displacement, by means of a kinematic link, determines the opening of the vent valve.

[0018] This type of deaerator, although well-known and widespread, has some perfectible aspects.

[0019] A first perfectible aspect is linked to the fact that the known deaerators, which are small in size and not very widespread on the market, have the limitation of trapping the air in a central vortex, but not releasing it completely during operation, since the same air remains trapped in the vortex itself; these deaerators of the known type are also bulky and not easy to install.

[0020] A second limitation of known deaerators with generation of a central vortex cannot be said to be properly 'cyclonic', since the flow of fluid that is deaerated is only downward, due to the fact that the outlet of the deaerator is in the lower part of the body of the deaerator itself; thus the flow of fluid does not rise upward and this does not allow the fluid to remain in the deaerator long enough to detach both solid and gaseous particles.

[0021] A third limitation of known deaerators of the type without generation of a central vortex, is related to the presence of mesh filters inside the deaeration chamber, which mesh filters are positioned to be passed through by the fluid flow; the debris of dirt and ferrous particles present in the fluid flow tend to adhere to the mesh filter progressively obstructing its holes, resulting in a decrease in flow rate and equally resulting in the need to replace or clean the mesh filter itself.

[0022] A further limitation of the known type of deaerators is the non-coaxiality of the inlet and outlet connections; in fact, these inlet and outlet connections, in order to ensure the vortical course of the fluid flow in the deaeration chamber, are positioned with their respective crossing direction substantially tangential with respect to an internal surface of the deaeration chamber, so as to introduce the fluid into the deaeration chamber according to a substantially tangential direction with respect to said inner surface of said deaeration chamber, in such a way, precisely, that the fluid flow assumes the desired swirling pattern and maintains it up to the outlet fitting, which is also positioned according to a crossing direction substantially tangential to the inner surface of the deaeration chamber.

[0023] This non-coaxial position of the fittings, however, makes their installation on a hydraulic line relatively problematic, with recourse to additional elbow fittings which require their own space to be fitted and which therefore make the application of such deaerators in particularly narrow spaces difficult.

[0024] Summary of the invention

[0025] The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to develop a deaerator for removing air particularly from a heat transfer fluid of an air conditioning system capable of obviating the limitations of the known technique.

[0026] In particular, one scope of the invention is to develop a deaerator capable of optimising the removal of microbubbles from the fluid flowing through the deaeration chamber.

[0027] Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a deaerator capable of ensuring an optimal flow rate for a longer period of time than deaerators of known types.

[0028] Still another purpose of the present invention is to develop a deaerator which can be easily set up even in confined spaces.

[0029] This task and these purposes are achieved by a deaerator for removing air particularly from a heat transfer fluid of an air conditioning system according to claim 1.

[0030] Preferred features of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention will more fully result from the description of three preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the deaerator according to the invention, supported by the drawings proposed by way of illustration and not limitation in the annexed tables and listed below.

[0032] Brief description of the figures

[0033] Reference will be made to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] ■ figure 1 a perspective view of a deaerator according to the invention;

[0035] ■ figure 2 represents a side view of a deaerator according to the invention;

[0036] ■ figure 3 represents a sectional side view of the deaerator according to the invention;

[0037] ■ figure 4 represents a cross-sectional view according to sectional line IV-IV of figure 1 of the deaerator according to the invention;

[0038] ■ figure 5 represents a perspective view of a detail of the deaerator according to the invention;

[0039] ■ figure 6 represents a front view of the particular of figure 5;

[0040] ■ figure 7 represents a side view according to section line VI I -VI I of figure 6 of the part of figures 5 and 6;

[0041] ■ figure 8 represents a side view of the part of figures 5, 6 and 7;

[0042] ■ figure 9 represents a side view in cross-section of a portion of the deaerator according to the invention, in a first operating arrangement,

[0043] ■ figure 10 represents the same view as figure 9 with the deaerator according to the invention in a second operating attitude;

[0044] ■ figure 11 represents a side view of an embodiment variant of a deaerator according to the invention;

[0045] ■ figure 12 represents a sectional side view of the deaerator of figure 11 ; ■ figure 13 represents a top view according to section line XI-XI of figure 11 ;

[0046] ■ figure 14 represents a perspective view of a portion of a deaerator according to the present invention in another embodiment variant;

[0047] ■ figure 15 represents a side sectional view of the deaerator of figure 14;

[0048] ■ figure 16 represents a top view according to section line XVI-XVI of figure 15. The thicknesses and curvatures depicted in the above figures should be understood as purely illustrative, are generally magnified and not necessarily shown in proportion.

[0049] Detailed description of preferred forms of realisation

[0050] Various forms of embodiment and variations of the invention will be described below with reference to the figures introduced above.

[0051] Similar components are denoted in the various figures with the same numerical reference.

[0052] In the following detailed description, further forms of embodiment and variants with respect to the forms of embodiment and variants already dealt with in the description will be illustrated only with respect to the differences with what has already been disclosed.

[0053] Furthermore, the various forms of realization and variants described below are likely to be used in combination where compatible.

[0054] Referring initially to fig. 1 , according to one embodiment of the invention, a deaerator for removing air from a fluid, particularly for heat transfer fluids of air conditioning systems, is collectively referred to as numeral 10.

[0055] Said deaerator 10 comprises:

[0056] - an inlet fitting 11 , configured for connection to an inlet pipe, the latter not illustrated for simplicity of presentation,

[0057] - an outlet fitting 12, configured for connection to an outlet pipe, the latter not illustrated for simplicity,

[0058] - a transit body 13, clearly visible in figures 3 and 4, comprising an inlet port 14 to which said inlet fitting 11 is connected, and an outlet port 15 to which said outlet fitting 12 is connected,

[0059] - a deaeration chamber 16; said deaeration chamber 16 has a reference axis X1 , visible in figures 3 and 4, substantially vertical with respect to a normal operating arrangement of said deaerator 10; the deaeration chamber 16 is defined within said transit body 13 and is in communication with said inlet port 14 and with said outlet port 15; a flow of a fluid to be deaerated, the movement of which is schematised by the arrows A in the figures, enters from said inlet port 11 and exits from said outlet port 12;

[0060] - an ascent chamber 17; the ascent chamber 17 is defined within said transit body 13 and is defined above said deaeration chamber 16; the ascent chamber 17 is configured to receive air rising from the underlying deaeration chamber 16 with which it is in communication,

[0061] - venting means 18, which are more particularly described below, configured to allow the air removed from the flow of fluid treated in said deaeration chamber 16 to exit from said ascent chamber 17 to the external environment.

[0062] The inlet port 14 is configured and positioned to direct an inlet fluid flow according to an inlet direction X2 that does not intersect the reference axis X1 ; in other words, the inlet port 14 is configured and positioned such that an inlet fluid flow entering the deaeration chamber 16 is directed according to an inlet direction X2 that is not radial and therefore does not intersect the reference axis X1 ; such non-radial inlet direction X2 results in an inlet fluid flow A1 that is substantially directed against the inner surface 16a of the deaeration chamber 16.

[0063] In other words, said inlet port 14 is configured and positioned so as to direct an inlet fluid flow according to an inlet direction X2 that does not intersect said reference axis X1 , so as to induce in said inlet fluid flow a vortical, or cyclonic, motion within said deaeration chamber 16.

[0064] In particular, but not exclusively, the deaerator 10 comprises a flow diverter body 20 configured to deviate substantially tangentially towards the inner surface 16a of said deaeration chamber 16 and downwards a flow of fluid A1 entering from the inlet port 14, so as to induce in said flow of fluid entering A1 a vortical, or cyclonic, motion.

[0065] The flow diverter body 20 is clearly visible in Figures 5 to 8.

[0066] The embodiments of the deaerator according to the invention which do not comprise a flow diverter body, as further described below, are of course also to be considered as part of the invention.

[0067] The deaeration chamber 16 has a bottom 16b. At the bottom 16b there is a discharge tap 90, which is to be understood to be of a known type in itself.

[0068] The swirling, or cyclonic, motion of the fluid flow results in the centrifugal movement of the particles P which are heavier than the fluid, and which are in suspension in the fluid flow A1 , towards the inner surface 16a and towards the bottom 16b of the deaeration chamber 16, and the release of the microbubbles of air, which are lighter than the fluid, in the central area of the deaeration chamber 16.

[0069] In the figures, the debris particles to be removed are indicated by the letter P, while the micro-bubbles of air being released are indicated by the letter M.

[0070] The deaerator 10 according to the invention comprises a tubular ascent conduit 22 configured and positioned to guide the micro-bubbles of air M exiting the fluid flow from said deaeration chamber 16 towards said ascent chamber 17.

[0071] In particular, in the present non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the flow diverter body 20 comprises:

[0072] - a substantially tubular side wall 23,

[0073] - a perimetric helical step 24 defined externally to said side wall 23 and clearly visible in figures 6, 7 and 8; said perimetric helical step 24 is configured and positioned so as to intercept a flow of fluid A1 entering from the inlet port 14 and so as to divert said flow of fluid entering downwards.

[0074] The side wall 23 of said flow diverter body 20 includes a cyclonic deflection portion 25 defined below said perimetric helical step 24 and configured to divert a fluid flow A1 entering from said inlet port 14 towards the inner surface 16a of the deaeration chamber 16.

[0075] Said cyclonic deflection portion 25 comprises:

[0076] - a lower semi-cylindrical portion 25a of said side wall 23, which lower semi- cylindrical portion 25a has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the upper semi-cylindrical portion 23a of said side wall 23,

[0077] - a shore of first deviation 25b, configured to connect the inlet port 15 to the lower semi-cylindrical portion 25a.

[0078] By means of said cyclonic deflection portion 25 the fluid flow A1 is directed in a swirling motion onto the inner surface 16a of the deaeration chamber 16.

[0079] The flow diverter body 20 comprises a support member 26 fixed to said side wall 23 and configured to support said ascent tubular conduit 22 within said flow diverter body 20.

[0080] In particular, in the present example embodiment, the support member 26 comprises a cover 27 configured to couple with the upper edge of said side wall 23.

[0081] The cover 27 has a central through-hole 27a at which said tubular ascent conduit 22 is positioned.

[0082] Preferably, but not exclusively, the cover 27 and said tubular ascent conduit 22 are made in one piece.

[0083] The cover 27 also has descent holes 27b, configured and positioned so as to allow fluid to descend from the ascension chamber 17 towards the inside of the flow diverter body 20 and outside of the ascension tubular conduit 22.

[0084] Said descent holes 27b are arranged to define a crown of descent holes 27b surrounding the central through hole 27a which is in turn in communication with the flow diverter body 20.

[0085] These descent holes 27b are very important for creating a second circulation current through the ascent tubular conduit 22 in order to draw in air trapped in the center of the cyclone.

[0086] The deaerator 10 comprises a mesh filter 30 positioned in said deaeration chamber 16 near said outlet port 15.

[0087] Said mesh filter 30 comprises a tubular mesh clamped between a lower support edge 23c, said lower support edge 23c being defined on said side wall 23 at the lower opening 23b of said side wall 23, and said cover 27.

[0088] In particular, the mesh filter 30 is constrained to the cover 27 by means of a centering collet 27a defined within said cover 27.

[0089] The mesh filter 30 is positioned to surround said ascent tubular conduit 22, and so as to be interposed between said lower opening 23b and an outlet opening 23d of said side wall 23, wherein said side wall 23 faces said outlet port 15, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0090] By means of said flow diverter body 20, the fluid flow A1 is first diverted with a swirling motion towards the inner surface 16a of the deaeration chamber 16 and towards the bottom 16b thereof, whereupon, ascending towards the outlet port 15, the fluid flow is guided through the lower opening 23b of the side wall 23, and thus of the flow diverter body 20, into a first annular interspace 50 between the ascent tubular conduit 22 and the mesh filter 30; from said annular interspace 50 the fluid flow passes through the mesh filter 30 to a second annular interspace 51 defined between the mesh filter 30 and the side wall 23. The second annular interspace 51 is in communication with the outlet port 15 via the outlet opening 23d.

[0091] The descent holes 27b are configured and positioned to allow fluid to descend from the ascent chamber 17 to the inside of the flow diverter body 20 outside the ascent tubular conduit 22 and inside the mesh filter 30.

[0092] The fluid ascended via the ascension tubular conduit 22 above the flow diverter body 20 returns to the first annular interspace 50 via the descent holes 27b, so that the fluid ascended together with the micro-bubbles M to the ascent chamber 17 cannot exit the transit body 13 without passing through the mesh filter 30. Advantageously, the deaerator 10 according to the present invention also comprises magnetic means configured and positioned to magnetically attract towards the inner surface 16a of said deaeration chamber 16 any ferrous particles present in a fluid flow present in said deaeration chamber 16.

[0093] In particular, in the form described herein of the invention, which is intended to be illustrative and not limiting of the invention, the magnetic means comprise a plurality of magnets 40 arranged on the outside of said deaeration chamber 16, as schematically shown in Figure 3.

[0094] Said magnets 40 may be embedded in the walls of the deaeration chamber 16, or may be supported on the outside of the transit body 13 by means of an external support element, for example by means of a crown of magnets fixed on the outside of the transit body 13.

[0095] Venting means 18 are intended to be of a known type, for example, but not exclusively, of the float type.

[0096] Such venting means 18 therefore comprise

[0097] - a non-return valve 61 , with a poppet 62 held in the closed position of the valve by an elastic element 63

[0098] - a floating body 60, resting on the fluid in the ascent chamber 17,

[0099] - an opening lever 64, integral with the floating body 60 and configured to move the poppet 62 to an open position of the non-return valve 61 when the floating body 60 is lowered with respect to its initial position of closed non-return valve 61.

[0100] Figure 9 shows a closing phase of the venting means 18, while figure 10 shows an opening and venting phase, with the floating body 60 lowered, of the vent means 18.

[0101] Advantageously, the inlet port 14 and said outlet port 15 are substantially concentric.

[0102] In particular, the inlet port 14 is substantially annular and is arranged to surround said outlet port 15.

[0103] The inlet fitting 11 and said outlet fitting 12 are coaxial and develop from opposite sides of the same T shaped connecting body 45, said T shaped connecting body 45 comprising, as schematised in figure 3

[0104] - a first inlet duct 46, connecting said inlet connection 11 with said inlet port 14, and

[0105] - a second outlet duct 47 configured to put in communication said outlet port 15 with said outlet fitting 12.

[0106] The concentric inlet and outlet ports and the 'T' -shaped connecting body make it easy to set up the deaerator 10 even in narrow spaces, while at the same time ensuring ease of orientation and therefore adaptability of application even between sections of a fluid line having inclinations that are not perfectly horizontal or not perfectly vertical.

[0107] An embodiment variant of the deaerator according to the invention is shown in figures 11 , 12 and 13, and is indicated therein by the number 110.

[0108] The deaerator 110 comprises an inlet port 114 and an outlet port 115 which are substantially defined on opposite parts of the transit body 113.

[0109] In particular, the inlet port 114 and the outlet port 115 are coaxial.

[0110] The inlet fitting 111 and said outlet fitting 112 are coaxial and are developed from opposite parts of the transit body 113.

[0111] In this construction variant, there is no T junction body.

[0112] It is to be understood, therefore, that the deaerator according to the invention may comprise an inlet port and an outlet port also positioned in other positions depending on the specific technical requirements of use and embodiment.

[0113] Similarly, to the above-described embodiment variant, the deaerator 110 in its second embodiment variant also comprises a flow diverter body 120 configured to divert substantially tangentially towards the inner surface 116a of said deaeration chamber 16 and downwards a flow of fluid A1 entering from the inlet port 14, so as to induce in said flow of fluid entering A1 a swirling, or cyclonic, motion.

[0114] The deaerator 110 according to the invention comprises a tubular ascent conduit 122 configured and positioned to guide the microbubbles of air M exiting the fluid flow from said deaeration chamber 116 towards said ascent chamber 17 above, the ascent chamber 17 being intended to be substantially the same as described above for the first embodiment variant of the deaerator 10.

[0115] The deaerator 110 also includes a flow diverter body 120 configured to support said ascent tubular conduit 122 within said flow diverter body 120.

[0116] The flow diverter body 120 includes a cover 127 which in turn has a central through-hole 127a at which said ascent tubular conduit 122 is positioned.

[0117] The cover 127 also has descent holes 127b, which are configured and positioned to allow fluid to descend from the ascent chamber 17 to the interior of the flow diverter body 120 and to the exterior of the ascent tubular conduit 122.

[0118] A third embodiment variant of a deaerator according to the present invention is shown in figures 14, 15 and 16, and is indicated therein by numeral 210.

[0119] In such an embodiment example, not limiting the invention, the deaerator 210 comprises an inlet port 214 and an outlet port 215 which are substantially defined on opposite sides of the transit body 213. The inlet fitting 211 and said outlet fitting 212 are also coaxial and are developed from opposite parts of the transit body 213.

[0120] In this construction variant, there is no 'T' junction body.

[0121] In contrast to the above-described first embodiment variant of the deaerator 10 according to the invention, the deaerator 210 in its third embodiment variant does not comprise a flow diverter body.

[0122] In said third embodiment variant of the invention, the deaerator 210 comprises a flow diverter body 213 whose walls are configured to substantially tangentially divert towards the inner surface 216a of said deaeration chamber 216 and downwards a flow of fluid A1 entering from the inlet port 214, so as to induce in said flow of fluid entering A1 a swirling, or cyclonic, motion. In particular, the inlet port 214 is substantially off-centre with respect to the vertical reference axis of the transit body 213.

[0123] In other words, said inlet port 214 is configured and positioned to direct an inlet fluid flow according to an inlet direction X2 that does not intersect said reference axis X1 , so as to induce in said inlet fluid flow a vortical, or cyclonic, motion within said deaeration chamber 216.

[0124] Thus, the transit body 213 comprises an outer wall 213a which externally delimits the deaeration chamber 216 and defines its inner surface 216a, and an inner wall 213b, substantially tubular, configured and positioned to divert the flow of fluid ascending from the deaeration chamber 216 towards the outlet 215.

[0125] It is therefore to be understood that the deaerator according to the invention may comprise an inlet port and an outlet port also positioned in other positions depending on the specific technical requirements of use and embodiment.

[0126] The deaerator 210 according to the invention comprises a tubular ascent conduit 222 configured and positioned so as to guide the microbubbles of air M exiting the fluid flow from said deaeration chamber 216 towards said ascent chamber 17 above, the ascending chamber 17 being intended to be substantially the same as described above for the first embodiment variant of the deaerator 10.

[0127] The transit body 213 of the deaerator 210 includes an upper closure portion 227; said upper closure portion 227 has the same position and function as the cover 27 and 127 of the previous implementation variants described above.

[0128] The upper closure portion 227 in turn has a central through-hole 227a at which said tubular ascent duct 222 is positioned.

[0129] The upper closure portion 227 has at least one descent 227b, configured and positioned so as to allow fluid to descend from the ascent chamber 17 towards the inside of the deaeration body 213 and outside of the ascent tubular conduit 222.

[0130] In particular, in said third embodiment variant of the invention, a descent 227b is configured and positioned to allow fluid to descend from the ascent chamber 17 towards the outlet port 215.

[0131] It is therefore understood how a deaerator 10 according to the present invention enables the intended task and purposes to be achieved.

[0132] In particular, with the present invention a deaerator capable of optimising the removal of microbubbles from the flow of fluid passing through the deaeration chamber, which at the same time is capable of removing the heavier solid particles of the fluid as well as ferrous particles.

[0133] In addition, the invention provides a deaerator capable of ensuring an optimal flow rate over a longer period of time than known deaerators by centrifugal force removal of the heavier particles, resulting in less clogging of the mesh filter.

[0134] The present invention has thus far been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other forms of embodiment pertaining to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Deaerator (10) for removing air from a fluid, particularly for heat transfer fluids of air conditioning systems, comprising- an inlet fitting (11 ), configured for connection to an inlet pipe,- an outlet fitting (12), configured for connection to an outlet pipe,- a transit body (13) comprising an inlet port (14) to which said inlet fitting (11 ) is connected, and an outlet port (15) to which said outlet fitting (12) is connected- a deaeration chamber (16), said de-aeration chamber (16) having a reference axis (X1 ) substantially vertical with respect to a normal operating arrangement, said de-aeration chamber (16) being defined within said transit body (13) and being in communication with said inlet port (14) and with said outlet port (15),- an ascent chamber (17), said rising chamber (17) being defined within said transit body (13) and being defined above said de-aeration chamber (16) and configured to receive air rising from said underlying de-aeration chamber (16) with which it is in communication,- venting means (18), configured to allow the air removed by said fluid in said deaeration chamber (16) to exit from said ascent chamber (17) to the external environment, said deaerator (10) being characterized in that said inlet port (14) is configured and positioned to direct an inlet fluid flow according to an inlet direction (X2) which does not intersect said reference axis (X1 ), so as to induce in said inlet fluid flow a whirling, or cyclonic, motion, within said deaeration chamber (16).

2. Deaerator according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises, within said deaeration chamber (16), a flow diverter body (20) configured to divert substantially tangentially towards the inner surface (16a) of said deaeration chamber (16), and downwards, a flow of fluid (A1 ) entering from said inlet port (14).

3. Deaerator according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a tubular ascent conduit (22) configured and positioned so as to guide microbubbles of air exiting the fluid flow from said deaeration chamber (16) towards said ascentchamber (17) above.

4. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow diverter body (20) comprises:- a substantially tubular side wall (23),- a perimetric helical step (24) defined externally to said side wall (23), said perimetric helical step (24) being configured and positioned so as to intercept a flow of fluid entering from inlet port (14) and so as to divert said flow of fluid entering downwards.

5. Deaerator according to the preceding claim characterized in that said side wall (23) of said flow diverter body (20) comprises a cyclonic deflection portion (25) defined below said perimetric helical step (24) and configured to deflect an incoming fluid flow from said inlet port (14) towards said inner surface (16a) of said deaeration chamber (16).

6. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow diverter body (20) comprises a support member (26) fixed to said side wall (23) and configured to support said tubular ascent conduit (22) within said flow diverter body (20).

7. Deaerator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said support member (26) comprises a cover (27) configured to couple with the upper edge of said side wall (23), said cover (27) having a central through-hole (27a) at which said tubular ascent conduit (22) is positioned.

8. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lid (27) has descent holes (27b), configured and positioned so as to allow the fluid to descend from the ascent chamber (17) towards the inside of the flow diverter body (20) and outside of the tubular ascent conduit (22).

9. Deaerator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said cover (27) and said tubular ascent conduit (22) are made in one piece.

10. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mesh filter (30) positioned in said deaeration chamber (16) in proximity to said outlet port (15).

11. Deaerator according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mesh filter (30) comprises a tubular mesh clamped between a lower support edge (23c), said lower support edge (23c) beingdefined on said side wall (23) at the lower opening (23b) of said side wall (23) itself, and said cover (27).

12. Deaerator according to claim 9, characterized in that said mesh filter (30) is positioned so as to surround said tubular ascent conduit (22), and so as to be interposed between said lower opening (23b) and an outlet opening (23a) of said side wall (23), wherein said side wall (23) faces said outlet port (15).

13. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises magnetic means configured and positioned to magnetically attract towards the inner surface (16a) of said deaeration chamber (16) any ferrous particles present in a fluid flow present in said deaeration chamber (16).

14. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said magnetic means comprise a plurality of magnets (40) arranged on the outside of said deaeration chamber (16).

15. Deaerator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inlet port (14) and said outlet port (15) are substantially concentric, said inlet port (14) being substantially annular and being arranged to surround said outlet port (15).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Deaerator for air conditioning installations

    EP3431887B1

  • Separator device

    EP3432999B1

  • Cyclonic de-gasser

    US5755965A

  • Device for separating gas from a vector fluid in a circuit of a thermal system

    WO2023218350A1