Hydraulic separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic switches in heating and cooling systems experience undesirable mixing phenomena due to thermal and hydraulic influences, leading to inefficiencies and uneconomical operation, especially in large systems with significant pipe diameters, where structural conditions hinder the setup of low-loss headers and increase mixing problems.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic switch incorporates vertically extending flow-guiding elements in the form of open-tube half-tubes with adjustable opening angles, ensuring minimal pressure loss and improved flow behavior by guiding volume flows effectively between generator and consumer circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional hydraulic switches are used without flow-guiding elements, then the structure is simple, but mixing phenomena occur between flow and return volume flows leading to thermal and hydraulic inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic switch interior is segmented into a first volume for flow volume flows and a second volume for return volume flows using flow-guiding elements. This segmentation prevents mixing between the two streams while maintaining structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If vertically extending flow-guiding elements are added to separate flow volumes, then mixing is reduced and thermal efficiency improves, but pressure losses increase due to flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using horizontal partitions that would create direct flow resistance, the patent employs vertically extending flow-guiding elements that guide flows in the vertical dimension. This dimensional approach allows separation of flow and return volumes while minimizing obstruction to horizontal flow movement, reducing pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-guiding elements act as intermediaries that gently redirect flows rather than blocking them. These elements mediate between the need for separation and the need for low resistance, allowing volume flows to be directed into respective zones without creating significant flow resistance or pressure losses.
3Ease of operation
If the hydraulic switch is designed as a vertically extending hollow body, then spatial separation of connections is achieved, but structural conditions in large systems prevent proper header setup increasing mixing problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific flow zones within the hydraulic switch - a first volume optimized for receiving and directing flow volume flows and a second volume for return volume flows. This localized zoning ensures proper flow separation at the connection points while maintaining the overall vertical structure, addressing both spatial separation and mixing prevention.
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
This design significantly reduces pressure losses and enhances efficiency while maintaining effective separation between flow and return volume flows, minimizing mixing and ensuring optimal temperature management across the system.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature transfer fluid (usually water, aqueous mixtures, oil) flows through the switch in a flow and return at different temperatures
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic separator... in order to decouple the generator and consumer circuits from one another on the pressure side
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydraulic switch for heating and/or cooling systems, which hydraulic switch is arranged between at least one generator circuit (K1) and at least one consumer circuit (K2) and has a switch housing (2), the longitudinal axis (A) of which runs substantially vertically when the switch (1) is in the installed state and the interior of which has a chamber (3) for a temperature carrier fluid, wherein on the switch housing (2) at least one first feed line (4) leads to the generator circuit and at least one first return line (5) leads to the generator circuit (K1), and at least one second feed line (6) and one second return line (7) can be connected to the consumer circuit (K2), wherein between the first feed line (4) and the second feed line (6) there is arranged a first flow-guiding element (8) extending in the flow direction, and between the first return line (5) and the second return line (7) there is arranged a second flow-guiding element (9) extending in the flow direction, wherein the first and the second flow-guiding elements (8, 9) are in each case in the form of a circumferentially open bent tube with an opening angle (a) which ensures the compensation of a large volume flow.