EP3361182B1 - Hydraulic component for a heating or air-conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hydraulic unit for a heating or air conditioning system with at least one pump unit.

For example, from EP 2 397 777 A1 such a unit or housing unit for a heating system is known. This unit has a circulation pump for conveying the heating medium and in particular a heat exchanger for heating domestic water. Furthermore, a changeover valve is provided in order to switch the circuit for the heating medium between the said heat exchanger and a connected heating circuit. The pump unit can convey the heating medium, in particular water, depending on the position of the changeover valve, either through the heat exchanger for heating domestic water or through a connected heating circuit in a building. The assembly also has connections for connection to a heat source, in particular a primary heat exchanger of a boiler, via which the heating medium is heated in the circuit.

A disadvantage of these known structural units for heating systems is that temperature control for the temperature of the heating medium is difficult. This is usually only possible by adjusting the power of the heat source. In addition, the same heating medium temperature is always provided for all existing heating circuits.

Out DE 10 2012 024583 A1 a heating system with a distribution device is known, in which the distribution device has a mixer, with the aid of which the temperature for a connected heating circuit can be set. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that only one heating circuit can be supplied with heat with this device; it is not possible to supply two heating circuits with different temperature levels.

Out DE 10 2012 024586 A1 such as DE 10 2008 013124 A1 Mixing and distribution devices are known which enable the connection of two heating circuits, one of which is supplied with unmixed heating medium and a second with a mixed heating medium. It is thus possible to supply the second heating circuit with a lower temperature than the first heating circuit. However, this mixing device is dependent on external components such as, in particular, an external circulation pump, by means of which water is supplied from a heat source and which also serves to convey the unmixed water through the unmixed heating circuit.

Out EP 2 148 149 A2 such as EP 2 942 583 A1 Hydraulic units, so-called hydraulic blocks, are known for compact heating systems which, in addition to the circulation pump unit for conveying the heating water through the entire heating system, have a heat exchanger for heating domestic water. Furthermore, a changeover valve is provided, by means of which the heating medium flow can be switched over between the heat exchanger and a connected heating circuit. However, these compact heating systems only allow the supply of one unmixed heating circuit. If a heating circuit is to be supplied with heating medium at a lower temperature level, an external mixer must be connected to such a system.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a hydraulic structural unit for a heating or air conditioning system, which enables an improved temperature setting of the heating or cooling medium, which is promoted by the heating or air conditioning system, and in particular outputs for providing heating or cooling medium at at least two different temperature levels.

This object is achieved by a hydraulic unit for a heating or air conditioning system with the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments result from the subclaims, the following description and the attached figures.

The hydraulic unit according to the invention is intended for use in a heating or air conditioning system, a heated liquid heat carrier, in particular water, being conveyed as a heating medium when used in a heating system by the hydraulic unit, while a cooled liquid heat carrier is used in an air conditioning system becomes. If only the use in a heating system is described below, it should nevertheless be understood that the invention can also be used in a corresponding way in an air conditioning system and the respective features should expressly include the use in an air conditioning system. The term heating medium is expressly intended to include a cooling medium. Furthermore, the term heat source in the claims and the following description when used in an air conditioning system should expressly include a cold source.

The hydraulic unit has at least one circulation pump unit, which serves to convey a liquid heat transfer medium, which serves as a heating or cooling medium, through the heating or air conditioning system. The heating medium is in the case of a heating system preferably water. The circulation pump unit can in particular be a wet-running centrifugal pump unit, that is to say a centrifugal pump unit with a canned motor.

The hydraulic assembly according to the invention also has, like known hydraulic assemblies, at least one return connection for a heating circuit and a first flow connection for a heating circuit. A heating circuit through a building for heating the building can be connected to these connections in the usual way. In the case of air conditioning, this can be a cooling circuit for cooling the building. The temperature-controlled heating medium is fed into the building via the flow connection and flows back into the hydraulic unit through the return connection. The hydraulic assembly according to the invention also has a heat source outlet and a heat source inlet to which a heat source, for example a boiler, in particular a gas boiler, can be connected. The heat transfer medium is tempered via the heat source, ie heated in the case of heating and cooled in the case of air conditioning. The heat source outlet in the hydraulic unit is fluidly connected to the return connection. The liquid entering the return connection is passed on to the heat source outlet and from there into the heat source in order to be tempered or heated again. The first flow connection is connected in a fluid-conducting manner in the hydraulic assembly to the heat source inlet, so that the liquid tempered in the heat source can be fed to the first flow connection via the heat source inlet through the hydraulic assembly. The circulation pump unit is located either in the flow path between the return connection and the heat source outlet or in a flow path between the heat source inlet and the first flow connection. The circulation pump unit is arranged so that it is the heat transfer medium or the heat transfer medium Serves liquid through the entire circuit, ie through a heating circuit arranged on the flow connection and the return connection and through the heat source, which is connected to the heat source outlet and the heat source inlet.

According to the invention, the hydraulic assembly has a second flow connection, which serves to be able to supply at least one second heating circuit with a heat transfer medium which has a different temperature than the heat transfer medium which is fed to the first flow connection. At least two flow connections are therefore available on the assembly, which can provide different flow temperatures. This is useful for heating systems, for example, which have both underfloor heating and conventional radiators, since then z. B. can be supplied with a higher flow temperature via the first flow connection, while the circuits of the underfloor heating can be supplied with a lower flow temperature via the second flow connection. In order to be able to set the temperature of the heat transfer medium or the flow temperature to the second flow connection differently than the temperature at the first flow connection, the second flow connection in the hydraulic unit is fluidly connected to the heat source inlet and additionally to the return connection, so that the second flow connection is mixed of liquid from the heat source inlet and the return connection can be supplied. A mixing valve is arranged in the flow path from the heat source inlet to the second flow connection and / or in the flow path from the return connection to the second flow connection. The mixing ratio between the two liquid flows can be set by the mixing valve, so that the temperature at the second flow connection can be changed. In the case of a heating system, the liquid from the heat source inlet becomes colder liquid from the Return connection mixed. In the case of a cooling system or an air conditioning system, warmer liquid from the return connection can be added to the cold liquid from the heat source inlet. The mixing valve is designed to set the flow in the respective flow path. The mixing valve can preferably be designed in such a way that it can completely close the respective flow path, so that no warm or cold liquid is mixed in at all.

The circulating pump unit is preferably connected via a suction-side flow path to the return connection, through which the heat transfer medium is drawn in by the circulating pump unit. The hydraulic assembly also has at least a section of a first pressure-side flow path and preferably at least a section of a second pressure-side flow path. This means that the hydraulic assembly is designed so that it is used in a heating or air conditioning system, in which at least two pressure-side flow paths are connected to the circulation pump assembly, through which the heat carrier conveyed by the circulation pump assembly flows. An arrangement of the flow paths on the pressure side means that a pressure prevails in these flow paths or the sections mentioned, which is higher than on the suction side of the circulation pump unit, that is to say than in the suction-side flow path. In particular, this means that the pressure loss in the pressure-side flow paths corresponds to less than half the pressure difference between the suction and pressure sides of the circulation pump unit. The flow paths on the pressure side are particularly preferably upstream of the consumers in the heating or air conditioning system, on which the heating or cooling capacity is essentially reduced and in which the greatest pressure losses occur.

It is preferably provided that the first and the second flow path open into a common flow path, the common flow path and the mixing point at which the first and the second flow path open into the common flow path also being arranged in the hydraulic structural unit. The common flow path leads to the second flow connection. The mixing valve is arranged in at least one of the named sections of the two pressure-side flow paths. The mixing valve serves to vary the flow cross section in the respective flow path in order to change the flow through the associated flow path. Thus, a cross-sectional ratio between the first and the second pressure-side flow path can be changed via the mixing valve, as a result of which the mixing ratio, in which the flows at the mixing point or in the mouth into the common flow path, are changed.

While the common flow path opens into the second flow connection, one of the two flow paths leads in addition to the opening into the common flow path to the first flow connection. In this way, it becomes possible to supply heat transfer media with different temperatures to two heating circuits. One heating circuit receives the heat transfer medium with the temperature from one of the two flow paths, while the other heating circuit receives the heat transfer medium with the temperature after the mixing of the flows from both flow paths via the second flow connection. For example, the second heating circuit can be an underfloor heating system that is operated with a lower flow temperature, while the first heating circuit is a heating circuit with normal radiators that is supplied with a higher flow temperature. The described first flow connection for a first heating circuit is preferably connected to that of the two pressure-side flow paths, which is the heat transfer medium leads, which was previously tempered to a heat or cold source, that is supplied via the heat source inlet. The other pressure-side flow path preferably carries liquid which is supplied from a return of the heating or cooling circuit, ie the return connection.

At least sections of the first and second flow paths are formed in the hydraulic assembly according to the invention, in particular those sections in which the mixing valve is arranged. This means that the first and the second pressure-side flow path are not completely formed in the hydraulic structural unit, but rather also run through further components connected to the hydraulic structural unit. One of the flow paths on the pressure side runs through the heat source outlet, a heat source connected to it and back into the heat source inlet. If necessary, the heat source, for example a heat exchanger, can also be integrated into the hydraulic structural unit.

According to a first possible embodiment of the invention, the mixing valve can be arranged in only one of the first and the second pressure-side flow path in order to change the cross section of this pressure-side flow path. This means that the cross section of the other flow path is constant. The mixing of liquid from the flow path with the mixing valve can be varied by adjusting it.

Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the mixing valve in the first and second pressure-side flow paths such that the cross-sections of the first and second pressure-side flow paths can be changed, in particular simultaneously, via the mixing valve. That means in this arrangement there is a valve element which is divided into sections both the first and the second flow path engage, or two valve elements coupled to one another, of which a first valve element is located in a section of the first flow path and a second valve element is located in a section of the second flow path. The coupling of the movement of the valve elements can take place mechanically or also electronically via appropriate control of the drives of the valve elements. The mixing valve is preferably designed such that when the cross section of the first flow path is increased, the cross section of the second flow path is simultaneously reduced by the same amount. The mixing valve can further preferably be designed such that at least one of the flow paths can also be completely closed.

The mixing valve is particularly preferably designed as a three-way mixing valve. Such a mixing valve preferably simultaneously contains the mixing point at which the first flow path and the second flow path open into a common flow path. The three-way mixing valve thus preferably has two inlets, of which a first inlet is connected to the first pressure-side flow path and a second inlet is connected to the second pressure-side flow path. The third connection of the three-way mixing valve forms an outlet, which is connected to the common flow path or defines it. The three-way mixing valve has a valve element, the movement of which allows the cross sections of the two inputs to be changed and thus the cross-sectional ratio between the first and the second flow path can be changed.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the hydraulic structural unit, the mixing valve has two inputs and one output, as was described above, for example, a first input of the mixing valve having the heat source input connected is. A second inlet of the mixing valve is connected to the pressure side of the circulation pump unit upstream of the heat source outlet. This means that the circulation pump unit delivers a flow to the first inlet of the mixing valve, which flow previously flowed through a heat source connected to the heat source outlet and the heat source inlet and was tempered there. The second input of the mixing valve is directly connected to the pressure side of the circulation pump assembly upstream of the heat source outlet, so that a flow flows to this second inlet of the mixing valve which has not flowed through the heat source and thus has a temperature which corresponds to the inlet-side temperature of the circulation pump assembly. As described above, the suction side of the circulation pump unit is connected to the return connection, at which the heat transfer medium in a heating circuit usually has the lowest temperature. This means that in this embodiment the first pressure-side flow path is led through the heat source, while the second pressure-side flow path is guided parallel to the heat source past the heat source to the mixing valve. Both flows are mixed in the mixing valve, whereby the cross-sectional ratio of the flow paths can be changed by adjusting the mixing valve so that the mixture of both flows and thus the temperature of the resulting mixture can be changed due to the different temperatures in the two flow paths.

The output of the mixing valve is preferably connected to the second flow connection, which is provided for connecting a second heating circuit or cooling circuit. When used in a heating system, for example, underfloor heating can be connected to this flow connection, which is usually equipped with a lower flow temperature is operated than from the heat source such. B. provides a primary heat exchanger.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing valve can be integrated into a pump housing of the circulating pump unit. In particular, at least a section of a housing of the mixing valve can be formed in one piece with at least a section of the pump housing, in particular as an injection molded part made of plastic. This enables a very compact structure and, in particular, inexpensive manufacture and simple assembly.

In the hydraulic assembly according to the invention, the mixing valve preferably has a movable valve element and an electric drive motor that moves this valve element, which is preferably designed as a stepper motor. Via the electric drive motor, the valve element can be moved into different switching positions in which it adjusts the cross-sectional ratio between the first and the second flow path differently. Using a stepper motor as the drive motor, the valve element can be moved into defined positions without the need for additional sensors for determining the position of the valve element. The valve element can be designed to be pivotable, rotating or also linearly movable, with a corresponding coupling to the drive motor being provided in each case. The drive motor can also be designed as a rotating or linearly acting drive motor.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the movable valve element of the mixing element is preferably arranged inside a valve housing, while the drive motor is arranged outside this valve housing, the valve element being pivotable about a pivot axis and over a crosswise to the Actuating lever extending pivot axis is connected to the drive motor. The actuating lever extends out of the valve housing through an elastic seal. This arrangement has the advantage that a dynamic seal in the valve housing for the connection between the valve element and the drive motor can be dispensed with. The pivoting movement can be achieved by an elastic seal, such as a sealing sleeve. This results in a very simple and reliable seal. The actuating lever can be moved outside the valve housing, for example by a linearly acting drive motor, in order to pivot the valve element inside the housing. A linearly movable valve element would also be movable in the interior of the valve housing via such an actuating lever. However, the pivoting movement has the advantage that the valve element can be firmly coupled to the actuating lever without further guide elements, in particular can be formed in one piece. In this way, the valve element and operating lever can be easily manufactured as a plastic injection molded part as a one-piece component. The valve element preferably has two valve surfaces facing away from one another, which valve valve seats can be approximated or moved away from them in order to change the flow cross sections. The valve surface can come into contact with the valve seat for complete sealing. The two valve seats preferably lie opposite one another and the valve element with two valve surfaces facing away from one another is arranged between the valve seats lying opposite one another.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic structural unit comprises a secondary heat exchanger for tempering, in particular heating, service water and a changeover valve which is arranged such that the changeover valve connects one with the circulation pump unit Flow path between the secondary heat exchanger and at least one heating circuit connection formed on the structural unit is switchable. The flow path through the secondary heat exchanger preferably branches upstream of the mixing valve described and downstream of the heat source inlet, as described above, from the pressure-side flow path, so that the heat carrier heated in the heat source can be passed through the secondary heat exchanger in order to use water that is there a second side of the secondary heat exchanger flows to heat. The changeover valve makes it possible to switch off the flow path through the secondary heat exchanger and instead to pass the heated heat carrier through the flow connections formed on the structural unit. In this way, the heating medium or the heat transfer medium can be passed through the connected heating circuits to heat a building. If hot water is to be heated, the changeover valve switches the flow path, so that the heating circuits are switched off and instead the heat transfer medium for heating the hot water is passed through the secondary heat exchanger. In addition to the arrangement described, the changeover valve can alternatively also be arranged on the output side of the secondary heat exchanger, ie in particular a return to the suction side of the circulation pump unit. At this point, the switching valve can switch between a flow path from the return connection to the circulation pump unit and a flow path from the secondary heat exchanger to the circulation pump unit. Depending on which of the flow paths is connected to the circulation pump unit, the flow is thus either promoted by the secondary heat exchanger or by the heating circuits connected to the flow connections and then by the return connection.

The changeover valve preferably has a movable valve element and an electric drive motor that moves this valve element, which is preferably designed as a stepper motor. The valve element can preferably be moved back and forth between two valve seats, it also being possible for this valve element to be pivotable between two valve seats located opposite one another. The drive motor is preferably arranged outside a valve housing of the changeover valve and connected to the valve element via an actuating lever. The actuating lever is preferably led out of the valve housing by an elastic seal in a wall of the valve housing.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve element of the mixing valve is of the same design as the valve element of the changeover valve and / or the drive motor of the mixing valve is of the same design as the drive motor of the changeover valve. The similar configuration means that the elements are essentially of the same design, for example have the same basic shape or basic configuration. The valve elements of the mixing valve and the switching valve are particularly preferably of identical design and / or the drive motors of the mixing valve and the switching valve are of identical design. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the number of parts. The elastic passage of the valve element or its actuating lever through a wall of the valve housing can also be formed in the mixing valve in the same way or identically to the changeover valve. Furthermore, the configuration and geometric arrangement of the valve seats in the changeover valve are also preferably identical or identical to the configuration and geometric arrangement of the valve seats of the mixing valve. In other words, according to the invention, essentially identical or identical valves can be used for different purposes, namely once as a mixing valve and once as Diverter valve. The difference in function is preferably achieved only by controlling the drive motor. While in the changeover valve the drive motor only moves the valve element between two switching positions, in which one of the two valve seats is always closed, in the mixing valve the valve element is moved in stages or, if necessary, continuously between several switching positions in order to alternately vary the degree of opening of the two valve seats , that is, while the opening cross section at one valve seat is increased, the opening cross section at the other valve seat is preferably reduced in order to change the mixing ratio of the flows flowing out of the valve seats to one another. In the case of the mixing valve, too, the valve element can optionally be brought into contact with one of the valve seats in order to completely close this flow path.

Further preferably, the drive motor of the mixing valve and the drive motor of the changeover valve have a common motor driver, in particular a stepper motor driver, which optionally controls the drive motor of the mixer valve or the drive motor of the changeover valve. As a result, the number of individual parts required in the control electronics can be reduced. The mixing valve and the changeover valve cannot then be actuated at the same time, but such functionality is generally not required in practice. If the changeover valve is switched in such a way that the heating medium is passed through the secondary heat exchanger to heat domestic water, temperature control in the heating circuit is not necessary as this is switched off anyway. If the changeover valve is switched such that the heating medium is passed through the heating circuit or circuits, the mixing valve can be moved by the motor driver and the corresponding drive motor in order to set the temperature of the heating medium for at least one heating circuit. In this operating state, however, the changeover valve no longer has to can be switched. The drive motor of the mixing valve and the drive motor of the changeover valve are preferably designed to be self-holding, so that they maintain their position in the de-energized state.

The mixing valve preferably has a mixer control device which controls or regulates the setting of the mixing valve to reach a desired liquid temperature on the output side of the mixing valve, that is to say in the common flow path, and is preferably arranged at least partially with a pump control device of the circulation pump unit in a common electronics housing. This electronics housing can further preferably be an electronics housing attached directly to the circulation pump assembly or integrated into the circulation pump assembly. The motor driver required to control the drive motor of the mixing valve can be integrated in this mixer control device or can also be arranged externally, so that the mixer control device sends a control command to the motor driver, which in turn controls the drive motor. The mixer control device can also be integrated in a higher-level heating or cooling system control, but can also be designed separately from this. It is conceivable that the motor driver for controlling the drive motor of the mixing valve and the drive motor of the changeover valve is integrated in such a heating control system, while the mixer control device is integrated in the hydraulic structural unit and more preferably in a pump control device. The mixer control device then sends a control command for setting the mixing valve to the heating control, which causes the drive motor of the mixing valve to move to a desired position via the motor driver provided there. Conversely, if the mixer control device is integrated in a higher-level heating or air conditioning system control, it would also be conceivable to integrate the required motor driver into the hydraulic unit and more preferably into the pump control device that the drive motors are connected there to the motor driver, which in turn receives its control commands from a higher-level control device, for example a heating control. If a common motor driver is used, a switchover device is integrated in it, which switches the control between two outputs to which the two drive motors are connected, or optionally addresses these outputs.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the circulation pump unit is arranged in a first assembly of the hydraulic assembly, while the mixing valve is arranged in a second assembly of the hydraulic assembly, the first assembly having the heat source outlet connected to the pressure side of the circulation pump assembly and the second assembly with the mixing valve connected heat source input, the heat source output and heat source input for connecting a connecting heat source such as. B. enes primary heat exchanger of the heating or air conditioning are provided. Such a hydraulic unit can be installed in a heating system, for example in a compact heating system, and preferably provides essentially all internal flow paths there, so that the hydraulic unit only has to be connected to the primary heat exchanger present in the heating system, which serves as a heat source .

In the second assembly, the heat source input is further preferably connected to a first flow connection, which is provided for connecting a first heating circuit, and to a first input of the mixing valve. A heat carrier tempered in the heat source can thus be supplied to both the first flow connection and the mixing valve. At the first flow connection, the heat transfer medium lies in the temperature tempered by the heat source on. In the mixing valve, the temperature can be changed accordingly by admixing a heat carrier flow from the second pressure-side flow path in order to provide a correspondingly differently tempered heat carrier at a second flow connection.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the structural unit has a secondary heat exchanger for tempering process water and in the second assembly a first heat exchanger connection is formed which is connected to the heating water inlet of the secondary heat exchanger. A heating medium or heat transfer medium, which has previously been heated or tempered in the heat source, is also fed to the secondary heat exchanger.

A switch valve is preferably arranged in the first assembly, which has a first and a second input and an output and is designed to switch a flow path between the two inputs, the first input being connected to a heating water outlet of the secondary heat exchanger and the second input being connected to the return connection is. Depending on the switching position of the switching valve, the heating medium or the heat transfer medium can be conveyed by the circulation pump unit either through the secondary heat exchanger or through the heating circuits ending at the return connection. The changeover valve is preferably designed in the manner described above.

The two assemblies of the hydraulic assembly described are preferably arranged at two opposite ends of the secondary heat exchanger and via the secondary heat exchanger, a connected heat source and the second flow path for connecting the pressure side of the circulation pump unit connected to the second input of the mixing valve. The assemblies are preferably made of one or more parts from plastic and, in addition to the flow paths described for the heating medium, preferably also include additional flow paths for the process water to be heated, which connect the secondary heat exchanger to corresponding process water connections on the hydraulic assembly. A hot water supply and a pipe for heated hot water are connected to the hot water connections.

In contrast to the embodiments described above, it is also conceivable to arrange a changeover valve and a mixing valve in a common assembly.

As described above, the hydraulic unit described can preferably be integrated into a heating system, in particular a compact heating system. In an alternative embodiment, however, it is also possible to use the hydraulic assembly according to the invention as an autonomous assembly, so that it can be connected to a heating system on site in a building by means of external pipelines. For this purpose, the structural unit preferably has fastening elements which are designed to fasten the structural unit to a wall. In particular, a supporting element can be provided which has these fastening elements and serves as a supporting structure for the hydraulic structural unit according to the invention. This support element is preferably made of metal, for example from a metal sheet. The remaining parts of the hydraulic assembly, which define the hydraulic connections described, are preferably made of plastic, in particular plastic injection molded parts. It is advantageous to attach such an arrangement to a support element, which absorbs the holding forces, so that the plastic parts, which the hydraulic flow paths define, be relieved of such holding forces. The supporting element can be part of a housing which surrounds the entire hydraulic structural unit.

The return connection, the first and the second flow connection, the heat source outlet, the heat source inlet and, if present, preferably also a process water inlet and a process water outlet are further preferably provided with hydraulic connection elements for connecting external pipelines. If, as described, the hydraulic elements of the assembly are made of plastic, it is advantageous to design the hydraulic connection elements as metal inserts, which are used to connect external pipelines. In particular, the hydraulic connection elements preferably have outward-directed connection threads to which external pipelines can be screwed.

Further preferably, the hydraulic connection elements described are connected to at least one mechanical support element in addition to the connection to the flow paths inside the structural unit. This support element is further preferably the support element which has been described above and is used for fastening the hydraulic structural unit to a wall. Alternatively, the support element, which is connected to the hydraulic connection elements, can be mechanically connected to a further support element, which supports the hydraulic structural unit and is designed for attachment to a wall. The connection of the hydraulic connection elements with one or more support elements has the advantage that mechanical forces which are exerted on the hydraulic connection elements when the external pipelines are connected are transmitted to the support element and thus from those elements which define the hydraulic flow paths. be kept away. The mechanical support elements, which hold the hydraulic connection elements, are preferably designed as sheet metal components made of metal.

Fig. 1

einen Schaltplan einer Heizungsanlage mit einer erfindungsgemäßen hydraulischen Baueinheit,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen hydraulischen Baueinheit,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen hydraulischen Baueinheit zur autarken Verwendung,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die hydraulische Baueinheit gemäß Figur 3 im montierten Zustand,

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht eines Mischventils der hydraulischen Baueinheit,

Fig. 6

eine Schnittansicht eines Umschaltventils der hydraulischen Baueinheit, und

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht von unten auf die hydraulische Baueinheit gemäß Fig. 4.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the attached figures. In these shows:

Fig. 1

a circuit diagram of a heating system with a hydraulic unit according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a perspective view of the hydraulic assembly according to the invention,

Fig. 3

2 shows a perspective exploded view of a hydraulic assembly according to the invention for self-sufficient use,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the hydraulic assembly according to Figure 3 when assembled,

Fig. 5

2 shows a sectional view of a mixing valve of the hydraulic assembly,

Fig. 6

a sectional view of a switching valve of the hydraulic unit, and

Fig. 7

a bottom view of the hydraulic assembly according to Fig. 4 .

Figure 1 shows a heating system, which a hydraulic unit 2 according to the invention, a heat source in the form of a primary heat exchanger 4 and two heating circuits 6 and 8. The heating circuit 6 is a heating circuit which runs through radiators 10 (only one is shown schematically in the figure), while the heating circuit 8 is a heating circuit which forms an underfloor heating. It should be understood that the heating circuit 8 can in turn be divided into several underfloor heating circuits. The primary heat exchanger 4 is in particular part of a gas boiler. The primary heat exchanger 4 and the hydraulic structural unit 2 can thus be integrated as a whole into a compact heating system, in particular a gas boiler. The hydraulic assembly 2 integrates all essential hydraulic components that are required to operate the heating system.

The hydraulic assembly 2 has a heat source outlet 12 and a heat source inlet 14, to which the primary heat exchanger 4 is connected via corresponding pipes. The heating medium or the heat carrier (preferably water) to be temperature-controlled exits the hydraulic assembly 2 from the heat source outlet 12. The temperature-controlled heating medium re-enters hydraulic unit 2 through heat source inlet 14. To connect the heating circuits, the hydraulic assembly 2 has a first flow connection 16, to which the first heating circuit 6 is connected by the radiators 10, and a second flow connection 18, to which the second heating circuit 8 for the underfloor heating is connected. Furthermore, the hydraulic assembly 2 has a return connection 20, to which the common return of the two heating circuits 6 and 8 is connected.

The hydraulic assembly 2 shown here is also used for heating domestic water and has a domestic water inlet 22 and a domestic water outlet 24 for this purpose. Cold or hot water to be heated is supplied through the hot water inlet 22, and the temperature-controlled water outlet exits the hot water outlet 24 or heated domestic water 24. External pipes are connected to the five connections 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. For this purpose, the connections are preferably provided with suitable connection elements or fittings 26, which in this exemplary embodiment are designed as threaded connections.

In its interior, the hydraulic assembly 2 has a circulation pump unit 28, on the inlet side or suction side of which a changeover valve 30 is located, which is designed as a 3/2-way valve. The switch valve 30 is connected with its outlet 32 to the suction side of the circulation pump unit 38. A first inlet 34 of the changeover valve 30 is connected to the heating water outlet 36 in the first hydraulic side of a secondary heat exchanger 38, which is used for heating domestic water. The second inlet 40 of the changeover valve 30 is connected to the return connection 20 by a flow path formed in the interior of the hydraulic assembly 2. The changeover valve 30 has a drive motor 42 designed as a stepper motor. The drive motor 42 moves a valve element 44 (see. Fig. 6 ) between two switch positions, whereby in Figure 6 an intermediate position between the two switching positions is shown. In a first switching position, the valve element 44 closes a first valve seat 46, which is connected to the inlet 34. In this switching position, the flow path from the return connection 20 through the second input 30 to the circulation pump unit 28 is thus opened. In a second switching position, the valve element 44 closes a second valve seat 48, which is connected to the return connection 20. In this switching state, the flow path through the return connection 20 to the circulation pump assembly 28 is thus closed and the flow path from the heating water outlet 36 of the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the circulation pump assembly 28 is opened.

On the pressure side of the circulation pump unit 28, the flow path is divided into two flow paths 50 and 52, the first flow path 50 running through the heat source outlet 12, the primary heat exchanger 4 and the heat source inlet 14 and from there to the first flow connection 16. That is, two sections run from the first flow path 50 inside the hydraulic assembly 12, namely the section up to the heat source outlet 12 and the section from the heat source inlet 14 to the first flow connection 16. The rest of the first flow path is through the external piping and the Primary heat exchanger 4, which are connected to the heat source outlet 12 and the heat source inlet 14, are formed.

The second flow path 52, which runs on the pressure side of the circulation pump unit 28, runs inside the hydraulic assembly 2 to a mixing valve 54. The mixing valve 54 is designed as a 3-way valve and has two inlets 56 and 58. The first inlet 56 is in hydraulic connection with the heat source inlet 14, while the second inlet 58 is connected via the flow path 52 directly to the pressure side of the circulation pump unit 28. That is, The second inlet 58 is supplied with heating medium from the pressure side of the circulation pump assembly 28, which medium does not flow through primary heat exchanger 4 and thus essentially has the temperature which the heating medium has when it enters the return connection 20. The mixing valve 54 has an outlet 60 which is connected to the second flow connection 18 via a common pressure-side flow path. The temperature or the flow temperature at which the heating medium emerges from the second flow connection 18 can be set via the mixing valve 54. The heating medium, which has been tempered by the primary heat exchanger 4 and which is supplied to the mixing valve 54 from the heat source inlet 14, cannot pass through the mixing valve 54 temperature-controlled heating medium are mixed in via the flow path 52, in order to reduce the flow temperature at the second flow connection 18 compared to the heating medium temperature at the heat source inlet 14 in the case of a heating system. Since the heating medium is fed directly to the first flow connection 16 from the heat source inlet 14, the flow temperature at the first flow connection 16 is essentially the same as the initial temperature of the primary heat exchanger 4. In this way, different flow temperatures can be provided at the flow connections 16 and 18.

The mixing valve 54 also has a drive motor 62 which is designed as a stepper motor. Via the drive motor 62, a valve element 64 is moved inside the mixing valve 54 between two valve seats 66 and 68. The valve seat 66 is connected to the inlet 58 and the valve seat 68 is connected to the inlet 56. Via the stepper motor 62, the valve element 64 can assume various intermediate positions between the two valve seats 66 and 68, so that the free flow cross section is varied from the valve seats 66 and 68 to the outlet 60. The ratio of the flow cross sections of the inputs 56 and 58 to one another varies, as a result of which the mixing ratio between the heating medium streams flowing through them can be varied. Inside the hydraulic assembly 2 there is also a flow path that connects the heat source inlet 14 to a heating water inlet 70 on the hydraulically first side of the secondary heat exchanger 38. Thus, when the switching valve 30 is in the corresponding switching position, the heating medium can flow from the heat source inlet 14 via the heating water inlet 70 through the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the heating water outlet 36 and from there via the switching valve 30 into the circulation pump assembly 28. The heating medium can heat a process water flow via the secondary heat exchanger 38, which is from the Process water inlet 22 flows through the hydraulically second side of the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the process water outlet 24.

The inside of the dashed line in Figure 1 Components of the hydraulic assembly 2 shown preferably represent an integrated assembly, which can be integrated as a pre-assembled assembly in a heating system or can also be used independently. The flow paths are preferably integrated in molded parts made of plastic, which can be manufactured in particular by injection molding. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of such a hydraulic assembly 2. The hydraulic assembly 2 essentially consists of two assemblies 72 and 74, which are connected to one another via the secondary heat exchanger 38 and the second flow path 52, which is designed as a separate pipeline. The assembly 72 contains, as an essential component, the circulation pump assembly 28, to which the heat source outlet 12 and the second pressure-side flow path 52 branching off between the circulation pump assembly 28 and the heat source outlet 12 are connected on the pressure side. The first assembly 72 also has the return connection 20 and the changeover valve 30. The first input 34 of the changeover valve 30 is connected directly to the heating water output of the secondary heat exchanger 38. This flow path as well as the flow path from the return connection 20 to the changeover valve 30 and the flow path from the second outlet 60 of the changeover valve 30 to the circulating pump unit 28 are formed in a one-piece or multi-part plastic molded part. This also includes the flow path from the process water inlet 22 to an inlet connection 76 on the second hydraulic side of the secondary heat exchanger 38. A filter 78 and a flow sensor 80 are arranged in the flow path from the process water inlet 22 to the inlet connection 76. The flow sensor 80 detects whether there is a flow in the flow path or not and becomes one used to recognize whether heated domestic water is required or not. When a user opens a tap to tap hot domestic water, this causes a flow with the domestic water flow path, which is recognized by the flow sensor 80 and is transmitted to a control device 82, which can then switch the changeover valve 30 into the position in which the heating medium flow through runs the secondary heat exchanger 38. The first assembly 72 also contains other components in the usual way, such as a breather 82 and a pressure relief valve 84.

The second assembly 74 has the heat source inlet 14, the first flow connection 16, the second flow connection 18 and the process water outlet 24. Furthermore, in the second assembly 74, the second pressure-side flow path 52, which is designed as a separate pipeline, opens into the mixing valve 54, which is likewise arranged in the second assembly 24. The flow paths from the connections described in the second assembly 74 to the mixing valve 54 and to the secondary heat exchanger 38 are likewise formed in molded plastic parts, which can be one or more parts. In addition, two temperature sensors 86 and 88 are arranged in the second assembly 74, which on the one hand the temperature in the flow path from the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the process water outlet 24, ie the temperature of the heated process water, and on the other hand the temperature in the flow path from the mixing valve 54 the second flow connection 18, that is to say to detect the second flow temperature. On the basis of the temperature sensor 86 in the process water flow path, the circulation pump assembly 28 can be regulated in its speed in order to adjust the heat supply to the secondary heat exchanger 38 and thus the process water temperature. The mixing valve can be regulated via the signal of the temperature sensor 88 on the output side of the mixing valve 54 in order to adjust the mixing ratio in such a way that a desired course temperature is reached.

The mixing valve 54 and the changeover valve 30 are as shown in FIG Figures 5 and 6 can be recognized, essentially the same design. The arrangement of the valve seats 46 and 48 and the valve element 44 essentially corresponds to the arrangement of the valve seats 66 and 68 and the valve element 64. The drive motor 42 also corresponds to the drive motor 62. The different functionality of the two valves is only achieved by differently controlling the drive motors 42 and 62 reached, while in the changeover valve 30 the valve element 44 is only moved between two switching positions, the drive motor 62 is controlled in the mixing valve 54 so that intermediate positions between the two end positions, which are caused by the contact of the valve element 64 on the valve seats 66 and 68 is defined, can be approached. The valve elements 44 and 64 are each connected via an actuating lever 90 to the drive motor 42 or 62 causing a linear movement. The actuating lever 90 is guided through a sealing collar 92 and carries out a pivoting movement about a pivot axis Y in the region of a housing wall of the valve housing. The essentially identical configuration of the changeover valve 30 and the mixing valve 54 has the advantage of the same components and, moreover, advantages in terms of control technology, since only a stepper motor driver is required to control the drive motors 42 and 62. The drive motors 42 and 62 never have to be operated simultaneously, so that a single motor driver is sufficient for both.

The hydraulic unit 2 described can either be integrated into a heating system such as a compact heating system or a boiler, or as shown in FIG Figures 3 , 4th and 7 is used independently. For this purpose, the hydraulic assembly 2, which of the in Figure 2 corresponds hydraulic unit 2 shown, arranged in a housing 94. The housing 94 also forms a mechanical support element. The housing 94 is made from a lower housing part 96, an upper housing part 98 and a front plate 100. The housing 94 is preferably formed from sheet metal. The lower housing part 96 has fastening elements in the form of holes 102 on its rear side. Through the holes 102 z. B. screws are guided with which the lower housing part 96 can be attached to a wall. Through holes 104 are also formed in the lower housing part 96 on a horizontally extending base plate 103. The first and second flow connections 16, 18, the return connection 20, the hot water inlet 22 and the hot water outlet 24 with their connecting elements 26 extend through the through holes 104, the connecting elements 26 being able to be mechanically fixed directly to the base plate 103 in the circumference of the through holes 104. For example, forces acting on the connecting elements 26 through external pipelines are transmitted directly to the base plate 103 and thus to the fastening elements 102 via the lower housing part 96, without loading the plastic molded parts which define the hydraulic flow paths with excessive forces.

Correspondingly, two through holes 106 are formed in the upper housing part 98, into which connection elements 26 of the heat source outlet 12 and the heat source inlet 14 engage and can accordingly be mechanically fixed directly to the upper housing part 98. Forces which act on the connection elements 26 of the heat source outlet 12 and the heat source inlet 14 are also transmitted directly to the fastening elements 102 via the upper housing part 58 and the lower housing part 98 connected thereto, without the structures in the interior of the hydraulic assembly 2 being subjected to excessive forces strain.

At the front, the housing 94 is closed by a front plate 100 which has an opening 108 through which the axial end of the circulation pump unit 28 can extend outwards or remains visible from the outside. This has the advantage that control elements of the circulation pump unit 28 remain accessible from the outside. A control device 110 is arranged in the interior of the housing 94, which takes over control functions which would normally be taken over by the heating control when the hydraulic unit 2 is integrated in a heating system. The control device 10 has a first connection area 112, to which a mains connection line is connected. In addition, the control device 110 has a second connection area 114, to which the drive motors 42 and 62 are connected via connection lines (not shown here). In addition, this second connection area 114 is connected to temperature sensors 86, 88 and the flow sensor 80 via further connection lines, not shown. The control device 110 thus takes over on the one hand the control of the mixing valve 54 and on the other hand the control of the changeover valve 30. For this purpose, a stepper motor driver is arranged in the control device 110, which controls the drive motors 42 and 62, wherein, as described above, a single stepper motor driver is sufficient. Alternatively, however, two stepper motor drivers can also be provided. If the control device 110 detects a domestic water requirement via the flow sensor 80, it controls the drive motor 42 in such a way that the flow path through the heating circuits is closed and the flow path for the heating medium is opened through the secondary heat exchanger 38. In heating mode, ie when the changeover valve 30 is in the other switching position, the control device 110 controls the drive motor 62 in order to adjust the mixing ratio in the mixing valve 54 such that a predefined output temperature is reached at the temperature sensor 88.

It is to be understood that the control device 110 is also fully integrated into the electronics housing 116 of the circulation pump unit can be or could also be arranged outside the housing 94. The self-sufficient functionality of the hydraulic assembly 2 can also be used in a home station, in which case the heat source outlet 12 and the heat source inlet 14 are then connected to the radiant heating circuit of a building. The pipe section 118, which is connected to the heat source inlet 14, can then be replaced by a heat quantity measuring device.

Reference list

2nd

hydraulic assembly

4th

Primary heat exchanger

6, 8

Heating circuits

10th

radiator

12th

Heat source outlet

14

Heat source input

16

first flow connection

18th

second flow connection

20th

Return connection

22

Process water inlet

24th

Hot water outlet

26

Connection elements or fittings

28

Circulation pump unit

30th

Diverter valve

32

exit

34

entrance

36

Heating water outlet

38

Secondary heat exchanger

40

entrance

42

Drive motor

44

Valve element

46

first valve seat

48

second valve seat

50, 52

Flow paths

54

Mixing valve

56, 58

Entrances

60

exit

62

Drive motor

64

Valve element

66, 68

Valve seats

70

Heating water inlet

72

first assembly

74

second assembly

76

Input connector

78

filter

80

Flow sensor

82

ventilator

84

Pressure relief valve

86, 88

Temperature sensors

90

Operating lever

92

Sealing sleeve

94

casing

96

Lower part of the housing

98

Upper part of the housing

100

Front panel

102

Holes or fastening elements

103

Base plate

104

Through holes

106

Through holes

108

opening

110

Control device

112

first connection area

114

second connection area

116

Electronics housing

118

Pipe piece

Y

Swivel axis

Claims (20)

1. A hydraulic construction unit for a heating facility or air-conditioning facility, with at least one return connection (20) for a heating circuit (6), with a first feed connection (16) for a heating circuit (6), with a heat source outlet (12) which is connected in a fluid conducting manner to the return connection (20), with a heat source inlet (14) which is connected in a fluid conducting manner to the first feed connection (16) as well as with a circulation pump assembly (28) which is arranged a flow path between the return connection (20) and the heat source outlet (12) or in a flow path between the heat source inlet (14) and the first feed connection (16), at least one second feed connection (18) for a second heating circuit (8), wherein the second feed connection (18) is connected in a fluid conducting manner to the heat source inlet (14) and to the return connection (20), so that a mixture of fluid from the heat source inlet (14) and the return connection (20) can be fed to the second feed connection (18), and at least one mixing valve (54) is arranged in a flow path from the heat source inlet (14) to the second feed connection (18) and/or in a flow path from the return connection (20) to the second feed connection (18), by way of which mixing valve a mixing ratio between the two fluid flows can be set, so that the temperature at the second feed connection (18) can be changed.
2. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the construction unit downstream of the circulation pump assembly (28) comprises at least a section of a first delivery-side flow path (50) and at least a section of a second delivery-side flow path (52), said flow paths running out into a common flow path, wherein the mixing valve (54) is arranged in at least one of the sections of the first and/or of the second delivery-side flow path (50, 52), and a cross-sectional ratio between the first (50) and the second (52) delivery-side flow path can be changed via the mixing valve (54).
3. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mixing valve (54) is arranged in only one of the first (50) and of the second (52) delivery side flow path, for changing the cross section of this delivery-side flow path (50, 52).
4. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mixing valve (54) is arranged in the first (50) and in the second (52) delivery-side flow path, in a manner such that the cross sections of the first and of the second delivery-side flow path (50, 52) can be simultaneously changed via the mixing valve (54).
5. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixing valve (54) is designed as a three-way mixing valve.
6. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first inlet (56) of the mixing valve (54) is connected to the heat source inlet (14),
   a second inlet (58) of the mixing valve (54) is connected to the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly (28) in a manner upstream of the heat source outlet (12), and
   an outlet (60) of the mixing valve (54) is connected to the second feed connection (18).
7. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixing valve is integrated into a pump housing of the circulation pump assembly (28).
8. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixing valve (54) comprises a movable valve element (64) and an electrical drive motor (62) which moves this valve element (64) and which is preferably designed as a stepper motor.
9. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 8, characterised in that the movable valve element (64) is arranged in the inside of the valve housing and the drive motor (62) is arranged outside the valve housing, wherein the valve element (64) is pivotable about a pivot axis (Y) and is connected to the drive motor (62) via an actuating lever (90) which extends transversely to the pivot axis (Y) and which extends through an elastic seal (92) out of the valve housing.
10. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the construction unit comprises a secondary heat exchanger (38) for thermally treating service water, as well as a switch-over valve (30) which is designed in a manner such that a flow path which is connected to the circulation pump assembly (28) can be switched over between the secondary heat exchanger (38) and at least one heating circuit connection (20) formed on the construction unit, by way of the switch-over valve (30).
11. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 10, characterised in that the switch-over valve (30) comprises a movable valve element (44) and an electric drive motor (42) which moves this valve element (44) and which is preferably designed as a stepper motor.
12. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 8 and 11, characterised in that the valve element (64) of the mixing valve (54) is designed in the same manner as the valve element (44) of the switch-over valve (30) and/or that the drive motor (62) of the mixing valve (54) is designed in the same manner as the drive motor (42) of the switch-over valve (30).
13. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 12, characterised in that the drive motor (62) of the mixing valve (54) and the drive motor (42) of the switch-over valve (30) have a common motor driver which selectively activates the drive motor (62) of the mixing valve (54) or the drive motor (42) of the switch-over valve (30).
14. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixing valve (54) comprises a mixer control device which controls the adjustment of the mixing valve (54) for reaching a desired outlet-side fluid temperature and preferably at least partly is arranged with a pump control device of the circulation pump assembly (28) in a common electronics housing (116).
15. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circulation pump assembly (28) is arranged in a first subassembly (72) of the hydraulic construction unit (2), and the mixing valve (54) is arranged in a second subassembly (74) of the hydraulic construction unit (2), wherein the first subassembly (72) comprises the heat source outlet (12) which is connected to the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly (28), and the second subassembly (74) comprises the heat source inlet (14) which is connected to the mixing valve (54).
16. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 14, characterised in that in the second subassembly (74), the heat source inlet (14) is connected to the first feed connection (16) which is provided for connection of a first heating circuit (6), and to a first inlet (56) of the mixing valve (54).
17. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the construction unit comprises a secondary heat exchanger for thermally treating service water, and in the second subassembly (74), the heat source inlet (14) is connected to a heating water inlet (70) of the secondary heat exchanger (38),
18. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 17, characterised in that a switch-over valve (30) which comprises a first and a second inlet (34, 40) as well as an outlet (32) and is designed for switching a flow path between the two inlets is arranged in the first subassembly (72), wherein the first inlet (34) is connected to a heating water outlet of the secondary heat exchanger (38) and the second inlet (40) is connected to the return connection (20).
19. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the construction unit (2) comprises fastening elements (102) which are designed to fasten the construction unit (2) on a wall.
20. A hydraulic construction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the return connection (2), the first (16) and the second (18) feed connection, the heat source outlet (14), the heat source inlet (12) and preferably a service water inlet (22) as well as a service water outlet (24) are provided with hydraulic connection elements (26) for the connection of external pipe conduits, wherein these hydraulic connection elements (26) preferably additionally to the connection to the flow paths in the inside of the construction unit (2) are connected to at least one mechanical support element (96, 98).

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