Heat exchanger wall feed-through for heat exchanger systems, closure unit and heat exchanger system having same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for routing fluid lines through building walls for heat exchanger systems are inadequate in sealing against environmental influences and are complex, costly, and time-consuming, especially during retrofitting, and often require multiple trades for installation.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger wall duct with a closure unit and positioning unit featuring slidably plugged pipe sockets that form sleeve tubes for fluid lines, allowing quick installation without separate sleeve tubes and accommodating various wall thicknesses, and also includes secondary sockets for electrical lines, with optional insulation and sealing elements for enhanced sealing and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If construction foam is used to fill the gap between fluid lines and wall surface, then installation is simple, but sealing against environmental influences is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure unit features nested components including pipe sockets inserted into each other, sealing elements positioned within grooves, and insulating material filling internal cavities. This nested structure achieves reliable sealing while maintaining installation simplicity, as the nested components are pre-configured to work together as an integrated sealing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing element acts as an intermediary between the pipe sockets and the wall opening, providing the actual sealing function. The sealing element is positioned in a groove and compressed between the pipe sockets and wall surface, mediating the sealing requirement without requiring complex external sealing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex sealing systems are used to ensure proper sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but installation becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The closure unit merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: pipe sockets for fluid lines, sealing elements for environmental sealing, insulating material for thermal protection, and positioning features for alignment. This consolidation achieves reliable sealing while reducing installation time, as all components are pre-configured and installed as one unit rather than separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure unit is designed as a universal component that handles multiple requirements simultaneously: sealing against environmental influences, providing thermal insulation, accommodating fluid lines, and ensuring proper positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate systems, reducing both cost and installation time while maintaining high sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If custom sealing systems are designed for each installation site, then sealing performance is optimized, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure unit is designed as a universal, standardized component that can be applied to various installation sites without customization. It provides optimized sealing performance through its integrated design while maintaining low complexity, as the same component design is used across different applications rather than requiring custom solutions for each site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure unit accommodates variations in installation conditions through parameter adjustments rather than design changes. The pipe sockets can be positioned at different orientations, the sealing element compresses to accommodate wall surface variations, and the insulating material fills varying cavity spaces. This flexibility maintains both sealing performance and simplicity across different installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If separate sleeve tubes are installed for fluid lines, then line protection is improved, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline protectionVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe sockets are merged with the closure unit structure, forming an integrated protective channel for fluid lines. The pipe sockets are inserted into the closure unit and secured, combining line protection with the sealing and insulation functions. This eliminates the need for separate sleeve tube installation while maintaining line protection, thereby increasing installation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Adaptability or versatility

If manual adaptation of closure units is performed for different wall thicknesses, then adaptability is achieved, but installation time and skill requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall thickness adaptationVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure unit incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through its modular pipe socket design. The pipe sockets can be positioned at different depths and orientations within the closure unit, allowing adaptation to various wall thicknesses without manual modification. This dynamic configurability maintains installation ease while achieving wall thickness adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The closure unit is segmented into modular components including the main body, pipe sockets, sealing elements, and insulating material. This segmentation allows flexible assembly and configuration for different wall thicknesses without requiring manual adaptation of the entire unit. Each component can be independently positioned and adjusted, simplifying installation while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4417846A1Heat exchanger wall feed-through for heat exchanger systems, closure unit and heat exchanger system having same
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 DOYMA GMBH & CO
  • EP4417846A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4417846A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4417846A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heat exchanger wall penetration (100) for the above-ground installation of a heat exchanger system with several heat-carrying fluid lines (101), wherein the wall penetration (100) is configured for passing the fluid lines (101) through an opening in a wall section. It is proposed that the wall penetration (100) comprises a (first) closure unit (1) configured for contact with the wall section, and several pipe stubs (7, 9) that can be inserted into the opening to receive the fluid lines, and a positioning unit.(second) closure unit (1') which is designed to be installed on or in the wall section opposite the first closure unit (1) and has one or more pipe fittings (7,9) that can be inserted into the opening for receiving the fluid lines, wherein the pipe fittings (7,9) of the first and second closure unit (1,1') are designed to be slidably connected to the pipe fittings (9,7) of the respective other closure unit (1', 1).