Method for determining the actual actual pre-pressure of a diaphragm pressure expansion vessel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the pre-pressure of diaphragm pressure expansion vessels require the vessel to be separated from the system and emptied, leading to resource wastage and complex water treatment, especially in large systems, and are ineffective when the pre-pressure is low.

Innovation Solution

A method to calculate the actual pre-pressure using measured pressures and volumes, allowing the vessel to remain connected to the system, using a testing device with a gas supply and electronic evaluation to determine the pre-pressure without draining the liquid chamber, employing a gas volume increase to measure and adjust the pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the vessel is separated from the system and emptied to measure pre-pressure, then measurement accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases and system integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidheat transfer medium loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the necessary gas volume from the gas chamber for measurement purposes, while leaving the liquid chamber intact and connected to the system. This selective extraction allows measurement without complete system disassembly or liquid drainage, thereby maintaining system integrity and preventing heat transfer medium loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement process is segmented into distinct phases: measuring initial gas pressure, adding known gas volume, measuring final gas pressure, and calculating pre-pressure. This segmentation allows the measurement to be performed on the gas chamber independently while the liquid chamber remains connected to the system, avoiding the need to empty the vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the vessel is separated from the system for measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The testing device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can measure gas pressure, add known gas volumes, and calculate pre-pressure values. This multi-functionality is achieved through a microprocessor-controlled system that integrates pressure sensing, gas delivery, and calculation capabilities, reducing the need for separate measurement equipment and complex disassembly procedures.

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

3Measurement precision

If gas is extracted from the vessel for measurement, then pre-pressure can be determined, but pre-pressure decreases requiring refilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-pressure determinationVSAvoidgas volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by measuring the initial gas pressure, adding a known gas volume, measuring the final pressure, and using these measurements to calculate the pre-pressure. This feedback loop allows accurate determination without requiring gas extraction, and the microprocessor can determine whether refilling is needed based on the calculated pre-pressure value compared to the target value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If the vessel remains connected to the system during measurement, then operational continuity is maintained, but measurement accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidpre-pressure measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the necessary gas phase for measurement while leaving the liquid phase connected to the system. By focusing measurement on the gas chamber through pressure measurements and gas volume additions, the system maintains operational continuity without compromising measurement accuracy, as the gas chamber can be independently characterized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables accurate determination and adjustment of pre-pressure without disconnecting the vessel, reducing resource consumption and operational complexity, and maintaining system integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a gas volume V z with a pressure p z is supplied to the gas space by the testing device and thereby a pressure increase in the gas space (3) to a pressure p 2 is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas expansion: Boyle's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4610572A1Method for determining the actual actual pre-pressure of a diaphragm pressure expansion vessel
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 REFLEX WINKELMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4610572A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4610572A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4610572A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the current actual pre-pressure pIST of a diaphragm pressure expansion vessel (1) which has an interior with a known nominal volume VN, which is separated by a diaphragm (2) into a gas chamber (3) and a liquid chamber (4), wherein the filling volume of the liquid chamber (4) is unknown, wherein the gas chamber (3) of the diaphragm pressure expansion vessel (1) is connected to a testing device (8) and the pressure in the gas chamber (3) is changed by means of the testing device (8), wherein the testing device (8) first measures the current pressure p1 in the gas chamber (3), then a gas volume Vz with a pressure pz is supplied to the gas chamber (3) by the testing device (8), thereby generating a pressure increase in the gas chamber (3) to a pressure p2. It is provided that the actual pre-pressure pIST is calculated from the values ​​p1, p2, pz, VZ and VN as follows: pIST=p2VN⋅pZ⋅VZp2−p1.