Heating Circuit Filling Fitting With Threaded Air Venting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Air pockets can form in the threaded engagement areas of heating circuit system components due to temperature fluctuations, leading to air pressure increases and potential air escape into the system, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

An air collection space is created outside the heating medium-carrying component, connected to the threaded engagement area via a ventilation duct, allowing trapped air to be directed into an external air plenum and vented using a bleed valve, while a fluid connection between the ventilation channel and the component's interior enables simultaneous ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If filling and draining fittings are screwed to heating circuit system components, then the system can be filled and drained, but air pockets form in the threaded engagement area due to temperature fluctuations causing air pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling and draining capabilityVSAvoidair pocket formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the venting function into two separate pathways: one for the interior space of the component and another for the threaded engagement area. The air collection space is segmented into regions that collect air from different sources, with dedicated ventilation channels leading to each region. This segmentation allows independent venting of air pockets without compromising the filling and draining function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air collection space acts as an intermediary chamber between the threaded engagement area and the exterior environment. Air trapped in the threaded engagement area is first directed into this intermediate air collection space, then vented through the bleed valve. This intermediary structure prevents direct air escape into the heating circuit system while providing a controlled venting path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If ventilation channels are added to vent the threaded engagement area, then air pockets can be removed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair venting capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air collection space serves multiple functions: it collects air from the interior space through one ventilation channel and from the threaded engagement area through another ventilation channel. The single bleed valve handles venting for both regions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex venting systems for each air pocket source.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation channels are integrated into the existing fitting structure, with channels nested within the walls of the air collection space and the fitting body. The air collection space itself is nested within or adjacent to the component, utilizing existing spatial arrangements. This nesting approach minimizes additional structural complexity while achieving effective air venting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents air from escaping into the heating circuit system, ensuring smooth operation by effectively venting air from the threaded engagement area and the component's interior, enhancing system reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

external air collection space being in fluid communication with the threaded engagement area via a ventilation duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid communication:

Implementation Method 2

the trapped air can escape into the heating circuit system... an external air plenum and can be vented therefrom by means of a bleed valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization:

Data Source

PatentEP3055623B1Filling and draining fitting for a heating circuit system
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 SCHUETZ GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP3055623B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3055623B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a filling and draining fitting for a heating circuit system, in particular a heating circuit distributor (10) of a heating circuit system, comprising a connection stub (13) for connecting a filling or draining line, which connection stub can be inserted into a heating-medium-conducting component of the heating circuit system transversely to the flow direction of the heating medium, and comprising a valve stub (14) for connecting a venting valve, which valve stub can be connected to the connection stub by means of a threaded connection, in such a way that a connection part (16) of the connection stub and a valve-accommodating part (22) of the valve stub are arranged on a component wall (15) of the component from the outside, wherein in a overlap region (39), in which connecting parts (17, 23) of the valve stub and of the connection stub overlap, at least one venting channel (34) is provided, which connects a heating-medium-conducting interior (19) of the component to an air-collecting chamber (28) formed in the valve-accommodating part (22), wherein the venting channel has a fluid connection to a thread engagement region (27) of the connecting parts.