EP2787149B1 - Device for the pneumatic draining of a water pipe - Google Patents

Description

Devices for emptying service water pipes are already known in the prior art. Frequently, such devices are located at the lowest point of a service water pipe and work through equipotential bonding. An important application of such devices is given for example in the arrangement of bath water circulation pumps in private and public baths.

A bathing facility usually has a water cycle, which essentially comprises the components swimming pool, splash water tank, bath water circulation pump, shortly bath water pump, bath water treatment and the associated service water pipes.

The bathwater first runs out of the pool via the overflow channel and flows into the splash tank, from which it is pumped through the pool water treatment with the aid of at least one bathwater pump before it is returned to the pool.

A bathwater pump usually has a pre-filter. This is to hold back coarse dirt and thus protect the one hand, the bathwater pump itself and on the other hand, the bathwater pump downstream bathing water treatment. Otherwise, the dirt on the components of the bathwater pump could get stuck, which could cause damage to the pump and its components, to the total failure of the bath water pump and thus the bath water treatment.

To ensure safe and stable operation of the bath water pumps and the downstream bath water treatment, the pre-filter must be cleaned at least once a day during normal bathing. In case of heavy use of the swimming pool, the pre-filter must be partially cleaned several times a day. This is especially true for outdoor pools, where the entry of dirt particles, such as foliage, is much stronger than indoor swimming pools. For this purpose, the service water pipe must be completely emptied in a section in which the prefilter and usually also the pump is located. Only then can the prefilter housing be opened and the filter basket located therein or a filter screen removed for cleaning.

The before the actual cleaning of the pre-filter to be emptied parts of the pump connected to the service water pipe including the pre-filter arrangement takes a lot of time, because the bath water contained in the prefilter emerges from the prefilter arrangement only due to gravity. Consequently, the overall process of pre-filter cleaning entails some economic and environmental disadvantages.

On the one hand, the swimming master in charge of cleaning the prefilter is busy for several minutes, depending on the filter size. Furthermore, a bathing water loss of about 100 liters is associated with each cleaning cycle, because the bathing water contained in the prefilter assembly and the associated service water pipe sections is fed directly to the sewer. Consequently, about 100 liters of fresh water must be supplied to the bathing water circuit after each prefilter cleaning, which is time consuming and costly. Because the temperature of the fresh water is usually below the required bath water temperature, the fresh water supplied must first be heated. Consequently, additional heating energy must be expended, resulting in additional costs.

Overall, the cleaning of the pre-filter is therefore associated with a high expenditure of time and money.

The invention is therefore based on the object to overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device that allows the fast, inexpensive and efficient cleaning of a prefilter assembly. The device should also be retrofitted into an existing system, easy to use and be self-contained functioning as a compact unit. In addition, a method for emptying a service water line with a pump using a device according to the invention is provided.

This is achieved with the features of claims 1 and 9 according to the invention. Advantageous developments are subject matter of claims 2 to 8.

A device for pneumatically draining a service water line with a pump, the pump is part of a bath water circuit and a pre-filter is arranged in front of this, with a gate valve in front of the prefilter and another gate valve behind the pump is arranged and they can interrupt the bathing water cycle, provides in that a compressed-air source is connected via an adjustable valve and a blow-in device to the service water line in the area between the blocking slides and between the blocking slides a removal device and behind a controllable valve is arranged.

The device according to the invention is suitable for quickly and safely emptying service water pipes. In this case, the pre-filter associated with the service water line or corresponding multipart prefilter arrangements can also be co-trained. The same applies to the pump.

For example, if cleaning the pre-filter, the pump is turned off and the two shut-off valves are closed, interrupting the pool water cycle, creating a circulation-free section within the service water line. The two locking slide can be designed differently. Depending on the dimensions, these are classic gate valves, ball valves or other sealing fittings. In addition, the controllable valve is opened behind the discharge device.

In the presence of the device according to the invention compressed air from a compressed air source is forced through the arranged behind the compressed air source controllable valve and the Einblaseinrichtung in the pump or directly into the prefilter assembly for emptying the service water pipe, whereby the bath water located in the non-circulating section of the service water from the system, in particular the pre-filter, is displaced. As a result, the bathwater exits through the discharge device.

In this case, the compressed air source may for example be a compressor or a compressed-air tank which is arranged either directly in front of the controllable valve and the injection device or is connected via a line to the controllable valve and the injection device.

Too fast an application of compressed air has a similar effect as a pressure shock and could lead to damage of the mechanical seal of the pump and / or to damage of check valves, which may be present in the parts to be emptied of the service water. Therefore, the invention provides a controllable valve.

Due to the controllable valve, the exact amount of compressed air required and the device-related maximum possible pressure level can be set exactly and, if necessary, readjusted. This prevents an uncontrolled introduction of compressed air into the injection device, the pump and / or the prefilter assembly in an advantageous manner. Usually, a working pressure of, for example, 1 bar is used in the device according to the invention.

The injection device is arranged in the circulation-free section of the service water line, for example, it is designed as an opening of the prefilter or the pump.

The discharge device can be arranged at any point within the service water line between the two locking slides. It can also represent an opening through which the squeezed out of the non-circulation section of the service water pipe and the pre-filter and, if necessary, the pump bath water is pressed by means of compressed air.

The exiting from the discharge bath water can be collected, used directly, processed or possibly disposed of.

By means of the device according to the invention, the emptying of the circulation-free section of the service water line, including the prefilter arrangement, is accelerated because the bathwater contained in this section and in the prefilter arrangement no longer emerges from the prefilter arrangement due to gravitational pull, but by introducing compressed air, ie. H. pneumatically and thus much faster, is removed.

This considerably reduces the time required to clean the pre-filter, allowing the swimming master to devote himself to his actual tasks. Since personnel costs are not insignificant costs in the operation of a swimming pool, the solution according to the invention is highly economical. Overall, a fast, inexpensive and efficient cleaning of the pre-filter arrangement is ensured by the device according to the invention. In addition, the device according to the invention is designed so that it can be easily retrofitted into existing systems, easy to use and is self-sufficient functioning as a compact unit.

There are various control concepts conceivable, for example, the control of the device according to the invention via the central swimming pool pump control. This is particularly advantageous from an economic point of view, because no additional control unit is needed, but the already existing control unit only needs a modification. Ideally, the gate valves can also be operated directly via the controller.

After the bath water has been squeezed out of the pre-filter and passed out through the discharge device, the compressed air source is switched off and the valves are closed.

An advantageous development of the device according to the invention provides that the discharge device is connected to a surge tank of the bath water circuit.

The splash tank can be connected either directly or via a line to the discharge arrangement. The squeezed out of the pre-filter through the discharge bath water is fed to the surge tank and thus returned to the pool water cycle. The return of the bath water into the surge tank prevents the otherwise occurring loss of water of approximately 100 liters per prefilter cleaning. Thus, neither the supply of fresh water nor the expenditure of heating energy for heating it to the bath water temperature is required.

In a further embodiment, the pre-filter and the pump form a structural unit. This reduces the number of joints, thereby reducing the risk of leakage. In addition, a higher compactness is achieved.

An important development of the device according to the invention provides that the injection device is arranged directly on the pre-filter. This is particularly easy to implement by removing the pressure gauge, which is usually arranged on the prefilter assembly, and the resulting opening forms the injection device.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the discharge device is arranged on the pre-filter. It is particularly advantageous if the discharge device constitutes an opening of the prefilter arrangement and is arranged at the lowest possible point of the prefilter arrangement, for example below the injection device. Then the bathwater pressed out of the prefilter arrangement can drain off particularly well. In addition, openings are often already present on the prefilter housing of the pumps.

The inventive device may further provide that a non-return valve between the controllable valve and the injection device is arranged. This is particularly advantageous in particular if, after emptying the circulation-free section of the service water line, bath water remains between the discharge device and the surge tank. If a non-return valve is arranged between the controllable valve and the injector, the ingress of water into the compressor can be prevented.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that a non-return valve is arranged behind the discharge device. This can be advantageous if the discharge device and the surge tank are connected by a comparatively long line or by a line which drops too much in the direction of the pump.

Another important embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that the compressed air source is connected via a valve stem and a blowing device with the hot water line, wherein the valve block has at least two controllable valves.

This makes it possible to adapt the device according to the invention individually to the number of pumps used and several service water pipes including pre-filter to empty pneumatically by means of a device according to the invention. Thus, the payback period is significantly improved, since only one device according to the invention can be used for a variety of pumps.

1. a) Ausschalten der Pumpe, die in einem Badewasserkreislauf hinter einem Vorfilter angeordnet ist,
2. b) Erzeugung eines zirkulationsfreien Abschnitts innerhalb der Brauchwasserleitung durch Schließen eines vor dem Vorfilter angeordneten Sperrschiebers und eines hinter der Pumpe angeordneten Sperrschiebers,
3. c) Öffnen eines hinter einer Abführeinrichtung angeordneten steuerbaren Ventils,
4. d) Einschalten einer Druckluftquelle und Öffnen eines vor einer Einblaseinrichtung angeordneten regelbaren Ventils,
5. e) Einbringen von Druckluft in den zirkulationsfreien Abschnitt der Brauchwasserleitung, wobei die Druckluft durch das regelbare Ventil und die Einblaseinrichtung in den Vorfilter eingebracht wird, wodurch aus dem Vorfilter Badewasser durch die Abführeinrichtung zu einem Schwallwasserbehälter des Badewasserkreislaufs gedrückt wird,
6. f) Ausschalten der Druckluftquelle, wobei annähernd zeitgleich das regelbare Ventil und das steuerbare Ventil geschlossen werden.

The object is also achieved by a method for pneumatically draining a service water line with a pump using a device according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments, comprising the following steps:

1. a) switching off the pump, which is arranged in a bath water circuit behind a pre-filter,
2. b) generating a circulation-free section within the service water line by closing a locking slide arranged in front of the prefilter and a locking slide arranged behind the pump,
3. c) opening a controllable valve arranged behind a discharge device,
4. d) switching on a compressed air source and opening a controllable valve arranged upstream of a blowing device,
5. e) introducing compressed air into the circulation-free section of the service water line, whereby the compressed air is introduced through the controllable valve and the injection device into the pre-filter, whereby bath water is forced out of the pre-filter through the discharge device to a surge tank of the bath water cycle,
6. f) switching off the compressed air source, wherein at approximately the same time the controllable valve and the controllable valve are closed.

If the pre-filter is cleaned, the bath water circuit is interrupted after the pump is switched off by closing the two shut-off valves, thus creating a circulation-free section within the service water line.

In the method according to the invention, however, the pre-filter arrangement filled with bathing water is initially not opened. Instead, in a first step, the controllable valve arranged behind a discharge device is opened. Next, the source of compressed air is turned on and the controllable valve arranged in front of the injector is opened.

From the compressed air source compressed air through the arranged behind the compressed air source controllable valve and the injector in the circulation-free section of Brauchwasserleitung introduced, being pressed out of this and the pre-filter bath water through a discharge device and the controllable valve arranged behind it to the surge tank of the bathwater cycle. After complete emptying the compressed air source is switched off, at the same time arranged behind the discharge control valve is closed. Very shortly afterwards or almost at the same time, the controllable valve arranged in front of the injection device is closed.

The pneumatic emptying of the service water line including the prefilter assembly is followed by the opening of the prefilter assembly and the emptying and cleaning of the filter basket or filter screen arranged therein. If the prefilter assembly is closed again, the two gate valves are opened and the pump is turned on.

The inventive method, the emptying of the service water line including pre-filter arrangement is accelerated because the bathwater contained in the pre-filter arrangement no longer exits due to gravity from the prefilter, but by introducing compressed air, d. H. pneumatically and thus much faster, is removed.

This considerably reduces the time required to clean the pre-filter, allowing the swimming master to devote himself to his actual tasks. Furthermore, the return of the bath water in the surge tank prevents the otherwise occurring loss of water in the amount of about 100 liters per prefilter. Thus, neither the supply of fresh water nor the expenditure of heating energy for heating it to the bath water temperature is required. Overall, a fast, inexpensive and efficient cleaning of the pre-filter arrangement is ensured by the device according to the invention. In addition, the device according to the invention is designed so that it can be easily retrofitted into existing systems, easy to use and is self-sufficient functioning as a compact unit.

Fig. 1

Schematische Darstellung eines Badewasserkreislaufs mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2

Ansicht einer Pumpenanordnung für ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Entleeren einer Brauchwasserleitung.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of a bath water circuit with a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

View of a pump arrangement for a method according to the invention for emptying a service water line.

FIG. 1 shows a bathing water circuit with a device according to the invention. After switching off the pump 2 and closing the gate valve 4, 5 in the service water pipe 1, the valve 10 is opened in the disposed between the discharge device 9 and the surge tank 11 line. The control depends on the selected control concept and the built-in valve type.

Next, the compressed air source 6 is turned on. In front of the compressed air source 6, a suction filter 15 is arranged. This serves on the one hand to keep dust away from the compressor. On the other hand, it ensures that no moisture collects in the compressed air source 6. Optionally, a condensate can be additionally provided. Then, the valve 7a between the compressed air source 6 and the pre-filter 3 is opened. The compressed air flows through the valve 7a and opens due to the pressure difference, the check valve 12a. Thereafter, the compressed air passes through the injector 8 in the pump 2 and the pre-filter 3, whereupon the pressure in the prefilter 3 rises and the bathwater contained therein through the discharge device 9 and the valve 10 arranged behind it in between the discharge device 9 and the surge tank 11 arranged line is pressed.

Within this line, the bath water is pressed by a check valve 13, which opens due to the pressure difference in the surge tank 11. After emptying the compressed air source 6 is turned off and at the same time the valve 7a closed, then the valve 10. This prevents that builds up in the pre-filter 3, an overpressure, which hinders a later filling of the pump 2 with bath water. Now the prefilter assembly 3 can be opened, the filter basket removed and cleaned. After closing the prefilter assembly 3 and opening the locking slide 4, 5, the pump 2 can be turned on again.

Depending on the system constellation can be dispensed with the check valve 13. In addition, it may be useful to choose a small diameter for the arranged between the discharge device 9 and the surge tank 11 line and to lay this line slightly sloping towards surge tank 11 to prevent larger bathing water volumes remain in this line.

After the pneumatic emptying of the service water pipe 1 including the prefilter 3, the compressed air source 6 is turned off. At the same time the valve 7a is closed and almost simultaneously the valve 10. This prevents that an overpressure forms in the pre-filter 3, which hinders a later filling of the pump 2 with bath water. The check valves 12a and 13 close automatically.

The operation of the device according to the invention is dependent on the selected control concept, which may be selected from: a) manual operation, b) small control and c) connection to existing swimming pool pump control.

In the case of a), the control is done via a start button directly to the device according to the invention, which either must be pressed permanently or automatically after one operation, the entire control process starts in which he is to disable after emptying again. To reduce costs, the device can also be designed so that the valves must be opened by hand and only the compressed air source must be switched on and off.

In the case of the control concept b), the entire process is controlled by a small controller. The operation of the device according to the invention can be done either directly on the device, on a separate control box or in the control room of the swimming pool master. Here, the time during which compressed air is introduced into the pre-filter arrangement, can be adapted to the filter housing size and the line to be flushed via a control.

Another possibility is that the control of the device according to the invention takes place by means of the swimming pool pump control. For this purpose, all the components to be controlled must be connected to the swimming pool pump control and the program must be adapted accordingly.

FIG. 2 shows a view of a pump assembly with a pump 2 for a method according to the invention for emptying a service water pipe 1. A pre-filter 3 and the pump 2 form a structural unit. A gate valve 4, which is arranged in front of the prefilter 3, and a further gate valve 5, which is arranged behind the pump 2, can interrupt the bathing water circuit. An injection device 8 is connected to the service water line 1 in the area between the locking slides 4, 5, wherein the injection device 8 on Prefilter 3 is arranged and is designed as a simple opening. An evacuation 9 is disposed between the pushers 4, 5 on the pre-filter 3, wherein it is also formed as a simple opening. Because the discharge device 9 is advantageously arranged at the lowest point of the device according to the invention, the bathwater pressed out of the prefilter 3 can drain off particularly well.

The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in many ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Water pipe

2

pump

3

prefilter

4

blocking slide

5

blocking slide

6

Compressed air source

7a

adjustable valve

7b

adjustable valve

7c

adjustable valve

8th

insufflation

9

removal device

10

controllable valve

11

Splash container

12a

check valve

12b

check valve

12c

check valve

13

check valve

14

valve Stock

15

Suction

Claims (9)

1. Device for the pneumatic emptying of a service water line (1) with a pump (2), wherein the pump (2) is part of a bath water circuit and a prefilter (3) is disposed in front of it, wherein a gate valve (4) is disposed upstream of the prefilter (3) and a further gate valve (5) is disposed downstream of the pump (2) and these can interrupt the bath water circuit, characterised in that a compressed-air source (6) is connected with the service water line (1) in the area between the gate valves (4, 5) via a controllable valve (7a, 7b, 7c) and a blow-in apparatus (8) and a discharge apparatus (9) is disposed between the gate valves (4, 5) and a controllable valve (10) behind it.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the discharge apparatus (9) is connected to a flush water container (11) of the bath water circuit (3).
3. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the prefilter (3) and the pump (2) form a component.
4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the blow-in apparatus (8) is disposed on the prefilter (3).
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the discharge apparatus (9) is disposed on the prefilter (3).
6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a non-return valve (12a, 12b, 12c) is disposed between the controllable valve (7a, 7b, 7c) and the blow-in apparatus (8).
7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a non-return valve (13) is disposed downstream of the discharge apparatus (9).
8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compressed-air source (6) is connected to the service water line (1) via a valve stem (14) and a blow-in apparatus, wherein the valve stem (14) has at least two controllable valves (7a, 7b, 7c).
9. Method for pneumatically emptying a service water line (1) with a pump (2) using an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps:

   a) Switching off the pump (2), which is disposed in a bath water circuit downstream of a prefilter (3),

   b) Generation of a circulation-free section within the service water line (1) by closing a gate valve (4) disposed upstream of the prefilter (3) and a gate valve (5) disposed downstream of the pump (2),

   c) Opening a controllable valve (10) disposed downstream of a discharge apparatus (9),

   d) Switching on a compressed-air source (6) and opening a controllable valve (7a, 7b, 7c) disposed upstream of a blow-in apparatus (8),

   e) Introducing compressed air into the circulation-free section of the service water line (1), wherein the compressed air is introduced into the prefilter (3) through the controllable valve (7a, 7b, 7c) and the blow-in apparatus (8), whereby bath water from the prefilter (3) is pressed by a discharge apparatus (9) to a flush water container (11) of the bath water circuit,

   f) Switching off the compressed-air source (6), wherein the controllable valve (7a, 7b, 7c) and the controllable valve (10) are closed at approximately the same time.

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