Hydraulic assembly for a hot water producing system

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and increased size of hydraulic assemblies with multiple heat exchangers complicate assembly and maintenance, particularly in confined spaces, leading to higher manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A compact hydraulic assembly design incorporating two quick-coupling manifold assemblies that integrate all connections for heat exchangers and hydraulic functional apparatuses, such as three-way valves and circulation pumps, onto three-dimensional hydraulic functional support bars, eliminating the need for additional connection pipes and simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two heat exchangers are added for hydraulic separation of primary and secondary circuits, then thermal-technical calculation becomes simpler and circuit independence is achieved, but hydraulic assembly complexity and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit independenceVSAvoidhydraulic assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold combines the functions of connecting both heat exchangers, the three-way valve, and the circulation pump into one unified component, thereby reducing the number of separate connection points and simplifying the overall hydraulic assembly while maintaining circuit independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manifold assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hydraulic connections for both heat exchangers, integrates the three-way valve control, and incorporates the circulation pump connection. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies assembly and maintenance operations.

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

2Reliability

If two heat exchangers are added for hydraulic separation, then thermal-technical calculation becomes simpler, but the space taken up by hydraulic assemblies and pipe connections increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit independenceVSAvoidhydraulic assembly volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold combines the functions of connecting both heat exchangers, the three-way valve, and the circulation pump into one unified component, thereby reducing the number of separate connection points and simplifying the overall hydraulic assembly while maintaining circuit independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manifold assembly is designed to nest multiple connection functions within a compact structure. The various hydraulic connections are integrated in a nested arrangement where the three-way valve and pump connections are incorporated within the same manifold body that also connects both heat exchangers, minimizing the overall space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If two heat exchangers are added for hydraulic separation, then thermal-technical calculation becomes simpler, but assembly and maintenance become more complicated and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit independenceVSAvoidassembly and maintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold combines the functions of connecting both heat exchangers, the three-way valve, and the circulation pump into one unified component, thereby reducing the number of separate connection points and simplifying the overall hydraulic assembly while maintaining circuit independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic assembly is segmented into modular components centered around the manifold. This segmentation allows the manifold to serve as a self-contained unit that can be assembled and maintained as a single module, reducing the complexity of working with multiple separate connection points and making maintenance operations more accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If two heat exchangers are added for hydraulic separation, then thermal-technical calculation becomes simpler, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit independenceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold combines the functions of connecting both heat exchangers, the three-way valve, and the circulation pump into one unified component, thereby reducing the number of separate connection points and simplifying the overall hydraulic assembly while maintaining circuit independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manifold assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hydraulic connections for both heat exchangers, integrates the three-way valve control, and incorporates the circulation pump connection. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed, lowering overall manufacturing costs despite the addition of two heat exchangers.

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

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 simplifies assembly and maintenance operations, reduces the overall size of the hydraulic assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs by integrating connections within the support bars, enhancing operational efficiency and space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

Connections to the hydraulic network of the district heating involve the interposition of a water/water heat exchanger, properly sized, which is usually installed in the boiler room of the building with the function of exchanging the thermal energy needed for the utilities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3252394B1Hydraulic assembly for a hot water producing system
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 OTMA SNC DI SPAGGIARI & C
  • EP3252394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3252394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3252394B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

"A hydraulic assembly (100) comprising: - two heat exchangers (30, 40); - hydraulic functional devices (50A, 50B); and - an interface manifold (50), which offers an interface, on one side, with the heat exchangers (30, 40) and, on the other side, with the hydraulic functional devices (50A, 50B); the hydraulic assembly (100) being characterized in that the interface manifold (50) comprises two hydraulic functional support bars (51; 52), each having a respective main body (CP1, CP2) supporting a plurality of closable joining elements (61A, 62A, 63A, 64A; 61B, 62B, 63B, 64B; 61C, 62C, 63C, 64C; 61D, 62D, 63D, 64D; 71A, 72A, 73A, 74A; 71B, 72B, 73B, 74B; 71C, 72C, 73C, 74C; 71D, 72D, 73D, 74D)."