EP3376038B1 - Pump unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pump unit with at least one rotatingly driven impeller and a valve element which can be rotated between at least two switching positions.

Circulating pump units are known which have integrated valve devices in order to be able to switch flow paths through the pump unit. Such a circulation pump is off, for example DE 1 958 277 famous. The pump unit shown there has a valve element which is switched in a first switching position so that water in a heating system is pumped through a boiler and then through subsequent heating circuits and back into the boiler. In a second switch position, the water is only conveyed in the heating circuit in the circuit. That means here the valve element can switch between two suction connections.

In heating systems, however, many different applications are conceivable in which the pressure side and / or suction side of a circulating pump unit is to be switched between different flow paths, for example in order to be able to specifically supply different heating circuits with warm water, or mixing valves are required to control the temperature of the heating water.

CH 463 896 A , FR 2 074 692 A2 as DE 72 12 196 U each disclose a pump unit with an integrated valve element which makes it possible to switch between two flow paths, the Valve element is designed so that it has circumferentially directed outlets.

It is the object of the invention to improve a pump unit with at least one rotatingly driven impeller and at least one valve element in such a way that the areas of application of such a pump unit can be expanded or such a pump unit can be adapted more easily to different applications.

This object is achieved by a pump unit with the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims, the following description and the attached figures.

The pump unit according to the invention has at least one impeller driven in rotation, that is to say it is designed as a centrifugal pump unit. More preferably, the pump unit is designed as a circulation pump unit, in particular as a heating circulation pump unit. The pump unit can preferably have an electric drive motor. This can furthermore preferably be designed as a wet-running electric drive motor in which a can or a can separates the rotor space from the stator space, so that the rotor rotates in the liquid to be conveyed.

The pump unit according to the invention also has a valve device with at least one movable valve element which can be rotated about an axis of rotation between at least two switching positions. The valve element has a first end face extending transversely to its axis of rotation. In this first end face a suction opening is formed in the central area, which is in engagement with a suction mouth of the impeller, so that the liquid conveyed by the impeller enters the suction mouth of the impeller through the suction opening. On its first end face, the valve element also has an annular pressure surface surrounding the suction opening, which adjoins a pressure space surrounding the impeller. This means that the valve element is acted upon by the pressure on the output side of the impeller on this pressure surface. This configuration enables additional functionalities of the valve device or the valve element, because the pressure of the impeller prevailing on the outlet side can be used, for example, to induce movements of the valve element. In addition, it is also possible to carry out switching operations on the pressure side, since the valve element faces the pressure chamber or is in connection with the pressure side. At the same time, the valve element can perform switching or control functions on the suction side, since the valve element is also connected to the suction side of the impeller via the suction opening. According to the invention, the valve element is thus in contact with the suction side and the pressure side, which enables a variety of switching functions.

The axis of rotation of the valve element is preferably located in alignment with an axis of rotation of the impeller. This has the advantage that the valve element can rotate with its suction opening in the suction mouth or the impeller can rotate with the suction mouth in the suction opening. Furthermore, this embodiment also enables a simple drive of the valve element via the drive motor which drives the impeller.

The impeller is preferably designed as a closed impeller in such a way that the impeller is closed at the end by a cover plate in an area surrounding the suction mouth. The impeller is thus closed on that end face which faces the valve element by the cover disk in the circumferential area of the suction mouth. Furthermore, a peripheral edge of the suction mouth is preferably in sealing engagement with a peripheral edge of the suction opening. For this purpose, for example, an axially protruding collar of the suction mouth can engage in an axially protruding collar of the suction opening or, conversely, an axially protruding collar of the suction opening can engage, for example, in a corresponding collar of the suction mouth. The closed design of the impeller creates a defined suction area through the suction mouth and through the suction opening limited so that the suction side and the pressure side are clearly separated from each other in the area of the valve element, so that the different pressures in the suction area and in the pressure area can be used for switching functions and / or specific switching functions can be carried out in the pressure area and / or in the suction area.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one pressure opening can be formed in the pressure surface of the valve element, which in at least one of the switching positions of the valve element is in flow connection with at least one pressure connection of the pump assembly. A switching function on the pressure side can thus be achieved in that liquid is fed from a pressure space surrounding the impeller via the pressure opening through the valve element to the pressure connection of the pump assembly. In a second switching position of the valve element, the pressure connection can be closed in such a way that the pressure opening is no longer in flow-conducting connection with the pressure connection, so that the flow path is interrupted.

According to the invention, the valve element is drum-shaped with a circumferential wall extending annularly around the axis of rotation, said first end face and a second end face facing away from this in the direction of the axis of rotation, the circumferential wall preferably being closed. The peripheral wall can preferably have the shape of a circular cylinder, but could, for example, also have a conical shape, wherein it more preferably tapers in the direction away from the impeller. It is possible to provide the openings required for the valve functionality only in the end faces of the valve element. In addition, however, switching openings can also be arranged in the circumferential wall, especially if these are conical Has shape. Due to the drum-shaped structure, there is space inside the valve element for various channels or flow paths in order to be able to provide various switching functions.

According to the invention, the valve element lies opposite at least two connection openings and has in its interior at least one connection which, depending on the positioning or switching position of the valve element, either one of the connection openings with the suction opening or optionally one of the connection openings with a pressure opening in the pressure surface or at least two connection openings with one another connects. In this way, the valve element can be designed for a wide variety of switching functions. By optionally connecting one or more connection openings to a pressure opening in the pressure surface, a switching function and in particular a switching function can be implemented on the pressure side in the manner described above. By optionally connecting one or more connection openings to the suction opening of the valve element, a switching function can be performed on the suction side of the impeller by changing the switching position of the valve element, for example a flow path between two suction-side inlets can be switched. In addition, it would also be possible to provide only one connection in the interior of the valve element, which connects two connection openings to one another in at least one switching position and interrupts this connection in another switching position. A switching function can thus be established independently of the flow path through the impeller. It is also conceivable to design the valve element with one or more connections so that it can be brought into connection with either the suction side or the pressure side of the impeller by changing the switching position. For example, two connections can be provided, one to a pressure opening and one to a suction opening, which each end in a switching opening, so that either the switching opening to the suction opening or the switching opening, which is in connection with the pressure opening, can be brought into connection with one and the same connection opening. This enables further functions and areas of application of the pump assembly according to the invention.

According to the invention, the at least two connection openings are opposite the said second end face of the valve element, which faces away from the impeller. The connection openings are preferably formed on the inner wall of a valve and / or pump housing. If openings or switching openings are now formed in the corresponding end face of the valve element, they can be brought into overlap with the connection openings by rotating the valve element so that a flow path is opened, or they can be moved away from the switching openings so that a closed wall meets the connection openings opposite, so that it is closed and the respective flow path is interrupted.

More preferably, the suction opening of the valve element is connected to at least one suction-side switching opening and preferably with at least two suction-side switching openings in the valve element via a connection inside the valve element, the switching opening being arranged or the switching openings being arranged such that they are dependent on the Positioning of the valve element with two suction-side connection openings can be brought differently to coincide. Such an arrangement enables a switching function in that a flow path is opened when a switching opening is opposite a connection opening, or the flow path is closed when the switching opening is moved away from the connection opening, so that the connection opening is closed by a wall of the valve element. In addition, a mixing function can also be achieved in which the degree of overlap of at least one switching opening with two connection openings is varied in such a way that the cross-sectional ratio of the two free connection openings is changed so that flows from the two connection openings are changed in relation to one another and mixed in different proportions can be.

The at least two switching openings on the suction side are particularly preferably spaced radially differently from the axis of rotation of the valve element. This is particularly advantageous when the switching openings are formed in the said second end face of the valve element. In this way, two essentially ring-shaped zones with connection openings can be created in the valve or pump housing opposite these switching openings, each zone conveying liquid at a different temperature, which is then mixed differently by the valve position in the manner described. This configuration is also advantageous if such mixed functionalities are to be implemented distributed over the circumference at different angular positions of the valve element.

In the pressure surface of the valve element, at least one and more preferably several pressure openings are preferably formed, which are connected to one or more pressure-side switching openings via a connection inside the valve element, which are arranged in such a way that, depending on the switching position of the valve element, they are each connected to a pressure-side Connection opening can be brought to cover. The switching openings on the pressure side are also preferably in the second axial end face of the valve element, that is, the end face facing away from the impeller and / or located in a circumferential surface of the valve element. Via these pressure openings and switching openings on the pressure side, switching functions can be provided on the pressure side of the impeller, that is to say on the output side of the pump unit, for example in order to convey heating water optionally into different heating circuits. This functionality can particularly preferably be implemented simultaneously with the mixing functionality on the suction side of the impeller, as was described above.

The switching openings on the pressure side are particularly preferably spaced further apart radially from the axis of rotation of the valve element than the switching openings on the suction side. This makes it possible to arrange the pressure-side and suction-side switching openings in the same, preferably the second end face of the valve element, so that they do not mutually interfere with their functionality.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the several pressure-side connection openings and several pressure-side switching openings are arranged such that in a first switching position of the valve element only one pressure-side switching opening is opposite a pressure-side connection opening and in at least one second switching position at least two pressure-side switching openings are each opposite a pressure-side connection opening. This means that in the first switching position only one flow path to one of the connection openings is open, while in the second switching position two flow paths are open to two connection openings. This makes it possible, for example, to open one heating circuit in the first switching position and two heating circuits in a second switching position. This can also be realized with more than two connection openings, with a plurality of connection openings preferably as many possible switching positions of the valve element it is provided that each of the connection openings can be opened individually, the other switching openings being closed at the same time, and moreover, preferably in other switching positions, several or all switching openings can be opened simultaneously. The arrangement is particularly preferably selected such that all possible combinations of connection openings can be opened at the same time. This can be achieved, for example, by appropriate distribution of the switching openings and connection openings along a circular line in specific angular positions around the axis of rotation of the valve element.

The pressure-side switching openings and pressure-side connection openings are preferably arranged in such a way that each of the pressure-side connection openings is individually opposite a pressure-side switching opening in a special switching position of the valve element and, preferably, in at least one further switching position, several of the pressure-side connection openings are each opposite a pressure-side switching opening. In this way, different heating circuits can be opened independently and in combination if the pump unit is used as a heating circulation pump unit in a heating system.

More preferably, the suction-side switching openings are arranged such that in each of the switching positions of the valve element in which one or more pressure-side switching openings are opposite a pressure-side connection opening, at least one suction-side switching opening is opposite a suction-side connection opening. This arrangement ensures that in any switching position of the pressure-side switching openings there is simultaneously a suction-side connection via the suction-side switching openings to the suction opening on the first end face of the valve element and thus to the suction mouth of the impeller. The arrangement is further preferred of the suction-side and pressure-side switching openings in such a way that the degree of overlap of the suction-side switching opening with the at least one suction-side connection opening can be varied by changing the positioning of the valve element within the switching position. This means that the switching positions are defined by the angular position of the pressure-side switching openings and pressure-side connection openings. The change in the degree of opening of a suction-side flow path then takes place by changing the positioning of the valve element within this switching position, in that the valve element can be rotated back and forth by a certain amount around an angular position defining the switching position. The pressure-side switching opening remains at least partially opposite the desired pressure-side connection opening, but at the same time the flow in the area of the suction-side switching opening can be varied by changing the positioning and, in particular, a change in a mixture between two flow paths from two suction-side connection openings can be varied by changing the positioning. This means that the movement required to change the positioning to influence the flow on the suction side is superimposed on the movement of the valve element between the switching positions which accomplish switching functions on the pressure side.

The suction-side switching openings are particularly preferably arranged in such a way that in each of the switching positions of the valve element at least one suction-side switching opening is opposite two suction-side connection openings. More preferably, two switching openings on the suction side can be arranged in such a way that each switching opening is opposite a suction-side connection opening. The arrangement is preferably such that, by changing the positioning of the valve element within the switching position, the degree of overlap of the switching opening on the suction side or the switching openings on the suction side can be varied with the suction-side connection openings. This means that one of the suction-side connection openings can, for example, be further released and at the same time the other suction-side connection opening can be further closed so that the mixture of the liquid flows from the two connection openings can be changed. At the same time, however, the pressure-side switching opening remains in the desired switching position, i.e. in overlap with a desired pressure-side connection opening, so that the switching position on the pressure side of the pump unit remains unchanged by the change in the mixing ratio. It is particularly preferred that the valve element is always moved by a predetermined angle between the individual switching positions, so that the set positioning of the suction-side switching openings is also maintained in the new switching position, i.e. in particular a mixing ratio of two flows on the suction side from the change in the Switch position on the pressure side is not affected.

Thus, the valve element or the valve device in the pump unit according to the invention is preferably designed such that the positioning of the valve element is changed by rotating it in an angular range which is smaller than an angle between the switching positions. For example, the angle between two switch positions can be 18 °, while the angular range in which the positioning to influence the flow on the suction side takes place in the range of +/- 5 ° around the angular position defined by the switch position. Correspondingly large designs of the pressure-side switching openings and / or the pressure-side connection openings can ensure that in each of the possible positions of the valve element within the switching position, a sufficiently large free flow cross-section remains through the created pressure-side connection.

For its movement, the valve element can be coupled to a rotor of a drive motor driving the impeller by a magnetic, mechanical and / or hydraulic coupling. This enables the drive motor, which also drives the impeller, to be used to move the valve element between the switching positions and preferably to position it within the switching positions, as described above, by means of smaller angular rotations. Alternatively, the valve element can be driven by its own adjusting motor, which is preferably designed as a stepping motor. The separate adjusting motor and / or a clutch to the rotor of the impeller can also act on the valve element via a gear so that a reduction or translation into slow speed preferably takes place between the drive and the valve element.

The adjusting motor used or an electric drive motor of the pump unit, if this is used to move the valve element, is preferably equipped with a control device which makes it possible to control or regulate the adjusting motor or electric drive motor so that it can be adjusted in the desired angular steps can be rotated in order to move the valve element in desired angular steps between the switching positions and / or the various positions within the switching positions in the manner described above. An additional adjusting motor can preferably be controlled by the control device of the pump assembly which controls its drive motor.

The valve element or the valve device with the valve element is preferably designed and arranged in such a way that the angles of rotation between the individual switching positions correspond to a fixed uniform angular step or a multiple of a fixed angular step. So the individual switch positions for example at certain regular angles, for example 30 °, 45 °, 18 ° or the like apart. A switching position does not actually have to be at each of these regular angular positions, rather it is also possible for two switching positions to be a multiple or an integral multiple of a predetermined fixed angular step apart. If a control device is present in the manner described above, it is further preferably designed in such a way that it can control the respective motor in such a way that the valve element can be moved in the aforementioned angular steps.

More preferably, the valve element is mounted such that it can be moved linearly along its axis of rotation between an adjacent position in which the valve element is in contact with at least one contact surface and a released position in which the valve element is spaced from the contact surface. As a result of the contact of the valve element on the contact surface, a frictional connection between the valve element and contact surface can be achieved, which holds the valve element in the angular position reached. Said movement can preferably be achieved by the pressure acting on the pressure surface on the output side of the impeller. In addition, a restoring element, for example in the form of a spring, can be provided, which acts on the valve element in the opposite direction with a restoring force so that it is moved back into a released starting position when the pressure in the pressure chamber falls below a predetermined value. The contact surface is particularly preferably at least one sealing surface and more preferably a sealing surface surrounding a connection opening. This configuration ensures that the valve element can be pressed against the sealing surfaces in order to achieve a good seal. Before moving the valve element between the switching positions or the positions within the switching positions, the valve element can be moved into its released position, in which it is preferably out of contact with the sealing surfaces so that it can be rotated more easily. If the movement into the adjacent position is effected by the pressure on the output side of the impeller, the speed of the impeller is preferably reduced or the drive motor of the pump unit is switched off completely before the switch position is changed, in order to first move the valve element into its released position.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht eines Pumpenaggregates gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 1 aus einer anderen Blickrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 1 bis 3,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf das geöffnete Pumpengehäuse des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 1 bis 4 mit geöffnetem Ventilelement,

Fig. 6a bis 6e

Ansichten gemäß Fig. 5 für fünf verschiedene Schaltstellungen,

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf das geöffnete Ventilelement,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht eines Pumpenaggregates gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 8 aus einer anderen Blickrichtung,

Fig. 10

eine Schnittansicht des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 8 und 9,

Fig. 11

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 8 bis 10,

Fig. 12a bis 12c

Draufsichten auf das geöffnete Pumpengehäuse mit geöffnetem Ventilelement für drei verschiedene Schaltstellungen, in welchen jeweils ein Ausgang geöffnet ist,

Fig. 13a bis 13c

Ansichten entsprechend Fig. 12a bis 12c für drei verschiedene Schaltstellungen, in welchen jeweils zwei Ausgänge geöffnet sind,

Fig. 14a bis 14c

Ansichten gemäß Fig. 12 und 13 für eine Schaltstellung, bei welcher drei Ausgänge geöffnet sind mit drei unterschiedlichen Positionierungen des Ventilelementes,

Fig. 15

einen schematischen hydraulischen Schaltplan für eine Heizungsanlage mit einem Pumpenaggregat gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 16

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht eines Pumpenaggregates gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 17

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 16 mit abgenommenem Pumpengehäuse und Ventilelement,

Fig. 18

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Motorwelle des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 16 und 17 sowie des Kupplungsteils des Ventilelementes,

Fig. 19

eine Schnittansicht des Kreiselpumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 16 mit dem Ventilelement in einer ersten Position,

Fig. 20

eine Schnittansicht gemäß Fig. 19 mit dem Ventilelement in einer zweiten Position,

Fig. 21a bis 21c

eine Draufsicht auf das geöffnete Pumpengehäuse des Kreiselpumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 16 bis 20 mit dem Ventilelement in drei verschiedenen Schaltstellungen,

Fig. 22

schematisch den hydraulischen Aufbau einer Heizungsanlage mit Pumpenaggregat gemäß Fig. 16 bis 21,

Fig. 23

eine Explosionsansicht eines Pumpenaggregates gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 24

eine perspektivische Ansicht des geöffneten Ventilelementes des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 23,

Fig. 25

eine perspektivische Ansicht des geschlossenen Ventilelementes gemäß Fig. 24,

Fig. 26

eine Schnittansicht des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 23 mit dem Ventilelement in einer ersten Position,

Fig. 27

eine Schnittansicht gemäß Fig. 26 mit dem Ventilelement in einer zweiten Position,

Fig. 28a bis 28d

eine Draufsicht auf das geöffnete Pumpengehäuse des Pumpenaggregates gemäß Fig. 23 bis 27 mit dem Ventilelement in vier verschiedenen Schaltstellungen und

Fig. 29

schematisch den hydraulischen Aufbau einer Heizungsanlage mit einem Pumpenaggregat gemäß Fig. 23 bis 28.

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

Fig. 1

a perspective exploded view of a pump unit according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a perspective exploded view of the pump assembly according to Fig. 1 from a different perspective,

Fig. 3

a sectional view of the pump assembly according to Fig. 1 and 2 ,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the underside of the pump assembly according to Figs. 1 to 3 ,

Fig. 5

a plan view of the open pump housing of the pump assembly according to FIG Figs. 1 to 4 with open valve element,

Figures 6a to 6e

Views according to Fig. 5 for five different switch positions,

Fig. 7

a top view of the opened valve element,

Fig. 8

a perspective exploded view of a pump unit according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 9

a perspective exploded view of the pump assembly according to Fig. 8 from a different perspective,

Fig. 10

a sectional view of the pump assembly according to Fig. 8 and 9 ,

Fig. 11

a plan view of the underside of the pump assembly according to Figures 8 to 10 ,

Figures 12a to 12c

Top views of the open pump housing with an open valve element for three different switching positions, in each of which an output is open,

Figures 13a to 13c

Views accordingly Figures 12a to 12c for three different switching positions, in which two outputs are open,

Figures 14a to 14c

Views according to Fig. 12 and 13th for a switch position in which three outputs are open with three different positions of the valve element,

Fig. 15

a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram for a heating system with a pump unit according to the second embodiment,

Fig. 16

a perspective exploded view of a pump unit according to a third embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 17

a perspective view of the pump assembly according to Fig. 16 with removed pump housing and valve element,

Fig. 18

a perspective view of the motor shaft of the pump assembly according to Fig. 16 and 17th as well as the coupling part of the valve element,

Fig. 19

a sectional view of the centrifugal pump assembly according to Fig. 16 with the valve element in a first position,

Fig. 20

a sectional view according to Fig. 19 with the valve element in a second position,

Figures 21a to 21c

a plan view of the open pump housing of the centrifugal pump assembly according to FIG Figures 16-20 with the valve element in three different switching positions,

Fig. 22

schematically the hydraulic structure of a heating system with pump unit according to Figures 16 to 21 ,

Fig. 23

an exploded view of a pump unit according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 24

a perspective view of the opened valve element of the pump assembly according to FIG Fig. 23 ,

Fig. 25

a perspective view of the closed valve element according to FIG Fig. 24 ,

Fig. 26

a sectional view of the pump assembly according to Fig. 23 with the valve element in a first position,

Fig. 27

a sectional view according to Fig. 26 with the valve element in a second position,

Figures 28a to 28d

a plan view of the open pump housing of the pump assembly according to FIG Figures 23 to 27 with the valve element in four different switching positions and

Fig. 29

schematically the hydraulic structure of a heating system with a pump unit according to Figures 23 to 28 .

The first embodiment according to Figures 1 to 6 shows a pump unit in the form of a centrifugal pump unit, in which a valve device is integrated, which enables switching between four different heating circuits.

The centrifugal pump unit or pump unit 1 has a stator or motor housing 2 in which an electric drive motor with a stator 4 and a rotor 6 is arranged. The rotor 6 is arranged non-rotatably on a rotor shaft 8. The electric drive motor shown is designed as a wet-running electric drive motor with a can or can 10, which separates the stator space with the stator 4 from the rotor space with the rotor 6 arranged therein, so that the rotor 6 rotates in the liquid to be conveyed. The motor housing 2 is connected to a pump housing 12, which at the same time forms a valve housing. An impeller 14 connected to the rotor shaft 8 in a rotationally fixed manner rotates in the pump housing 12.

At the axial end facing away from the pump housing 12 in the direction of the axis of rotation X, an electronics housing 16 with a control device 17 arranged therein is arranged. The control device 17 serves in particular to control or regulate the electric drive motor, with the electric drive motor being able to change its speed, for which purpose the control device 17 can have a frequency converter. It is to be understood that the electronics housing 16 does not necessarily have to be arranged at the axial end of the motor housing 2, but could also be arranged in a different position.

In the pump housing 12, a valve element 18 is arranged next to the impeller 14. The valve element 18 is drum-shaped with a cup-shaped lower part 20 and a cover 22 which closes the lower part 20 on its end face facing the impeller 14. The lid 22 has a central suction opening 24 which engages with the suction mouth 26 of the impeller 14, wherein In this exemplary embodiment, an axially protruding collar of the suction opening 24 engages in the interior of the suction mouth 26. The area of the cover 22 surrounding the suction opening 24 forms a pressure surface which the Pressure chamber 28 in the vicinity of the impeller 14 faces. The pressure chamber 28 is that pressure chamber in which the liquid emerges from the impeller 14, that is to say the space on the outlet side of the impeller 14 in which a higher pressure prevails than on the suction side. The valve element 18 is thus connected both to the suction side in the area of the suction opening 24 and to the pressure side on the pressure chamber 28 via the pressure surface formed by the cover 22.

The impeller 14 is designed to be closed, that is to say it is closed on its side facing the valve element 18 in the vicinity of the suction mouth 26 by an annular cover disk 30. The cover disk 30 ensures a separation between the suction and pressure areas on the impeller 14.

The valve element 18 is arranged non-rotatably on a shaft 32, it being able to move to a certain extent in the axial direction X on the shaft 32. The shaft 32 is connected to an adjusting motor 34, which is preferably designed as a stepper motor with a reduction gear. The adjusting motor 34 is also activated by the control device 17.

The pump housing 12 has a suction connection or input 36 and four outputs or pressure connections 38, 40, 42 and 44. A regulating valve 46 is arranged in each of the pressure connections 38, 40, 42 and 44 in order to adjust the flow through the respective pressure connection 38, 40, 42, 44. In the interior of the pump housing, the suction connection opens into an annular connection opening 48 on the suction side, which extends annularly around the axis of rotation X of the rotor 6, which is at the same time the axis of rotation of the shaft 32 and thus of the valve element 18. The pressure connections 38, 40, 42, 44 open in the interior of the pump housing in a bottom surface which extends transversely to the axis of rotation X, each in a pressure-side connection opening 50. In In this exemplary embodiment there are thus four pressure-side connection openings 50, which are each offset by 90 ° at the angular positions of the pressure connections. The pressure-side connection openings in the bottom of the pump housing 2 lie on an annular surface which is arranged radially on the outside of the suction-side connection opening.

The valve element 18 has in its interior several, in this case twelve, connections which extend parallel to the axis of rotation X from a pressure opening 52 to a pressure-side switching opening 54 on the opposite end of the valve element 18, i.e. facing away from the impeller 14. In the axial end face of the valve element 18 facing away from the impeller 14, that is to say in the bottom of the lower part 20, four suction-side switching openings 56 are also arranged radially further inward to the pressure-side switching openings 54. The suction-side switching openings 56 are open to the interior of the valve element 18 and in fluid-conducting connection to the suction opening 24. The connections between the pressure-side switching openings 54 and the pressure openings 52 are separated by walls from the rest of the interior of the valve element 18, so that in the axial direction through the Valve element on the one hand pressure-side connections between the pressure openings 52 and the pressure-side switching openings 54 and a suction-side connection from the suction-side switching openings 56 to the suction opening 54.

The pressure-side switching openings 54 are arranged on the bottom of the valve element 18 in such a way that they are spaced exactly as far from the axis of rotation X as the pressure-side connection openings 50 in the bottom of the pump housing 12. That is, the pressure-side connection openings 50 are located on an annular area in such a way that they an annular area in which the pressure-side switching openings 54 are arranged, are opposite. Furthermore, the pressure-side switching openings 54 and the pressure-side connection openings 50 are dimensioned to match one another so that they can be brought into congruence by a corresponding rotation of the valve element 18.

The suction-side switching openings 56 are opposite the annular suction-side connection opening 48, so that there is always a connection from the suction connection 36 to the suction-side switching openings 56 and via this to the suction opening 34.

Based on Figures 6a to 6e and Fig. 7 five different switch positions are now explained. Figure 6a shows a first switching position in which only the pressure connection 40 is open or is connected to the pressure chamber 38. For this purpose, the valve element 18 is rotated such that the pressure-side switching opening 54a is congruent with the pressure-side connection opening 50, which is connected to the pressure connection 40. All other pressure-side switching openings 54 in the lower part 20 of the valve element 18, on the other hand, lie opposite the bottom areas of the pump housing 12. In particular, the remaining pressure-side connection openings 50 are covered and closed by the bottom of the lower part 20. The suction-side switching openings 56 are in connection with the suction-side connection opening 48, so that in this switching position the impeller 14 conveys liquid through the suction connection 36 to the pressure connection 40. In the second switch position according to Figure 6b two pressure-side switching openings 54b, which are arranged diametrically opposite one another, are congruent with the pressure-side connection openings 50 of the pressure connections 40 and 44, so that the pump unit delivers from the suction connection 36 into the open outlets 40 and 44. By rotating the valve element 18 by 90 °, a connection to the outlets 38 and 42 could be established in the same way by bringing the pressure-side switching openings 54b to coincide with the pressure-side connection openings 50 of the pressure connections 38 and 42. In the third Switch position, which in Figure 6c is shown, all four pressure connections 38, 40, 42 and 44 are open by bringing the four pressure-side switching openings 54c, which are offset by 90 ° to each other, to coincide with the four pressure-side connection openings 50 by corresponding angular position of the valve element 18. The impeller 14 thus delivers into all four pressure connections.

Fig. 6d shows a further switching position in which only three of the pressure connections 38, 40, 42 and 44, namely the three pressure connections 38, 40 and 44, are open. In this switching position or angular position of the valve element 18, the three pressure-side switching openings 54d are brought to coincide with the pressure-side connection openings 50 of the pressure connections 38, 40 and 44. For this purpose, the three pressure-side switching openings 54d are each offset by 90 ° to one another, so that no pressure-side switching opening is formed in the lower part 20 at the associated fourth 90 ° position and so at this point the fourth remaining pressure-side connection opening 50 is covered by the bottom of the lower part 20 and is closed. It is to be understood that by rotating the valve element 18 by 90 ° in each case, the three other possible combinations of opening three of the pressure connections 38, 40, 42 and 44 could also be implemented via the pressure-side switching openings 54d.

Figure 6e shows a further switching position in which two pressure connections lying next to one another are open at the same time. For this purpose, two further pressure-side switching openings 54e are formed in the valve element 18, which are offset by 90 ° to one another. Here, too, no corresponding pressure-side switching openings are formed at the two remaining associated 90 ° angular positions in the lower part 20, so that in this position the two remaining pressure-side connection openings 50 are closed. In the in Figure 6e The switching position shown are the pressure-side switching openings 54e above the pressure-side Connection openings 50 of the pressure connections 38 and 40. By rotating the valve element 18 by 90 ° in each case, the three other possible combinations of adjacent pressure connections can also be opened via the pressure-side switching openings 54e. It can be seen that through a corresponding angular position of the valve element 18, all possible combinations of the four pressure connections 38, 40, 42, 44 can be opened individually and in combination. In this way, a very simple distributor valve is created which only requires a single drive and, moreover, can be integrated directly into the pump housing 12. In the example shown, the switching openings 54 are arranged in a grid of 18 ° steps, so that the various switching positions can be changed by rotating the valve element 18 in steps of 18 ° or a multiple of 18 °.

When the pump unit is in operation and delivers liquid, the pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber 38 also causes a pressure force to be generated on the pressure surface on the cover 22, which presses the valve element 18 against the bottom of the pump housing 12 so that it becomes a tight contact comes in the circumferential area of the pressure-side connection openings 50 and so a good seal can be ensured. In particular, a seal can thus be created between the suction and pressure sides, that is to say between the pressure-side connection openings 50 and the suction-side connection opening 48.

The second embodiment according to Figures 8-15 differs from the embodiment described above in that only three pressure-side circuits or connections can be supplied, but a mixing valve is also integrated into the pump unit.

In this exemplary embodiment, the pump housing 12 has two suction connections 36a and 36b. Furthermore, three pressure connections 38 ', 40' and 42 'are arranged on the pump housing 12, which open inside the pump housing 12 in three pressure-side connection openings 50, each offset by 120 ° to one another. The suction connection 36a is in connection with an outer ring opening 58 in the bottom of the pump assembly 12, while the suction connection 36b is connected with an inner ring opening 60. In this embodiment, a control disk 62 is arranged in the bottom of the pump housing 12, which is in a fixed angular position so that openings which form the pressure-side connection openings 50 are opposite the pressure-side connection openings 50 in the bottom of the pump housing 12 ′. In addition, three suction-side connection openings 48a are arranged radially on the inside in the control disk, which connection openings 48a are connected to the suction connection 36a by being opposite the inner ring opening 60. Radially further outward, opposite the outer ring opening 58, three suction-side connection openings 48b are arranged at three angular positions evenly distributed over the circumference. These suction-side connection openings 48b are in connection with the suction connection 36b.

The valve element 18 'is constructed similarly to the valve element 18 according to the first embodiment, except that in this embodiment there are only six connections between six pressure openings 52 in the pressure surface formed by the cover 22' to six pressure-side switching openings 54 '. In addition, suction-side switching openings 56'a and 56'b are arranged on the bottom of lower part 20 ', suction-side switching openings 56'a lying radially on the inside at a radial position which corresponds to the positioning of suction-side connection openings 48a. The suction-side switching openings 56'b are arranged radially further outward in an annular area which is opposite an annular area in which the suction-side connection openings 48b are located. In these examples, the switching openings on the pressure side are arranged in a grid of 20 ° steps, so that angle steps of 20 ° or a multiple of 20 ° result between the switching positions. The rest of the structure of the pump unit corresponds to the structure of the pump unit according to the first exemplary embodiment, so that reference is made to the description in this regard.

Based on Figures 12a to 12c three switching positions are shown, in each of which one of the pressure connections 38 ', 40' and 42 'is open. In Figure 12a the pressure connection 40 'is opened in that the pressure-side switching opening 54'a is opposite a pressure-side connection opening 50, which is connected to the pressure connection 40'. The pressure-side switching opening 54'a is located in the bottom of the lower part 20 'of the valve element 18' in such a way that, starting from the pressure-side switching opening 54'a, no switching openings are provided, so that in this valve position or switching position, the other two Pressure-side connection openings 50 are covered by the bottom of the lower part 20 'and thus closed. In the switch position according to Figure 12b the valve element 18 'is rotated by 120 ° so that the pressure-side switching opening 54'a is opposite the pressure opening, which is connected to the pressure connection 42'. Figure 12c shows a third switching position in which the valve element 18 'is rotated again by 180 ° about the axis of rotation X so that the pressure-side switching opening 54'a is opposite the pressure-side connection opening 50, which is connected to the pressure connection 38'. In each of these three switching positions mentioned, the valve element 18 can also be changed slightly in its position by a small angular range (e.g. +/- 5 °) so that the opposite suction-side connection openings 48a are slightly changed in their overlap, so that the flow is increased or can be reduced in size. At the same time, the suction-side switching openings 56'b are in their

Coverage with the suction-side connection openings 48b varies, so that the flow rate can also be changed here. The overlap is changed in such a way that when the free cross section of the suction-side connection openings 48a is increased, the free cross-section of the suction-side connection openings 48b is simultaneously reduced. In this way, the mixing ratio of the flows flowing through the suction-side connection openings 48a and 48b can be changed. It can be seen that in all three in Figures 12a, 12b and 12c Switching positions shown, such a mixing is possible by slightly changing the positioning within the switching position. However, if the switching position is changed by turning it by 120 °, the mixing ratio remains the same, since the arrangement of the suction-side switching openings 56 'does not change the degree of overlap with the suction-side connection openings 48a and 48b.

In the three other switch positions, which according to Figures 13a, 13b and 13c are described, two of the three pressure connections 38 ', 40' and 42 'are open. For this purpose, two further switching openings 54'b on the pressure side are used in the bottom of the lower part 20 'of the valve element 18'. These two switching openings 54'b are spaced apart by 120 °, with no switching opening being provided at the third associated position spaced apart by 120 °, so that in each case one of the pressure-side connection openings 50 is covered and closed. In the switch position according to Figure 13a The two pressure-side switching openings 54'b cover the pressure-side connection openings 50 of the pressure connections 38 'and 40'. In the switch position according to Figure 13b the valve element 18 'is rotated by 120 °, so that the pressure connections 40' and 42 'are opened in a corresponding manner in that the switching openings 54'b cover the associated connection openings 50. The third possible switch position is in Figure 13c shown, there the pressure ports 38 'and 42' are open simultaneously while the third pressure connection 40 'is closed. In these three switching positions, too, the mixing ratio of the flows from the two suction connections 36a and 36b can be changed by slightly changing the angular position around the switching position reached, in that the suction-side connection openings 48a and 48b overlap differently with the suction-side switching openings 56'a and 56'b to be brought. The angle of the change in the positioning is significantly smaller than the change in the switch position.

Based on Figures 14a to 14c Another possible switching position is described in which all three pressure connections 38 ', 40', 42 'are open. For this purpose, three pressure-side switching openings 54'c in the bottom of the lower part 20 'of the valve element 18' are used, which are arranged at a distance of 120 ° from one another. The previously described pressure-side switching openings 54 are placed in this switching position in such a way that they do not lie opposite any of the pressure-side connection openings 50, as in FIG Figure 14a marked. In the switch position according to Figures 14a to 14c the pressure-side switching openings 54'c each lie opposite one of the three pressure-side connection openings 50, these at least partially overlapping one another. Figure 14c shows exactly the middle of the switching position in which the switching openings 54'c exactly cover the connection openings 50 on the pressure side. the Figures 14a and 14b show positions that differ slightly from this in two opposite directions of rotation, in which the mixing ratio on the suction side is changed in the manner described above. In these positions, the pressure-side switching openings 54'c only partially overlap with the pressure-side connection openings 50. In the first positioning according to Figure 14a Only the suction-side switching openings 56'b overlap with the opposite suction-side connection openings 48b. The suction-side connection openings 48a, which are located radially on the inside, are, however, completely closed. In this position, liquid only comes out of the suction connection 36b sucked in. The positioning according to Figures 14b and 14c result in different overlaps of the connection openings 48a and 48b with the suction-side switching openings 56'a and 56'b, which represent different mixing ratios.

A pump unit 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment can be used, for example, in a heating system which is used in Fig. 15 is shown. The heating system has a heat source 64, which can be a gas boiler, for example. In addition, there are two heating circuits 66 and 68, of which the heating circuit 68 is an underfloor heating circuit which is operated at a lower temperature. A secondary heat exchanger 70 is also provided for heating domestic water. The first suction connection 36a of the pump unit 1 is connected to the output of the heat source 64. The second suction connection 36b is connected to the return of the heating circuits 66, 68 and the secondary heat exchanger 70 and thus supplies cooled water to the suction connection 36b, while heated water is supplied to the suction connection 36a. These two liquid streams can be mixed in the manner described. The first heating circuit 66 is connected to the pressure connection 38 ', the second heating circuit 68 is connected to the pressure connection 40' and the secondary heat exchanger 70 is connected to the pressure connection 42 '. It is thus possible to switch between these three heating circuits, with two or all three also being able to be operated in parallel in the manner described. At the same time, the temperature can be adjusted through the mixture.

In the third embodiment according to Figures 16-22 a mixing valve is integrated in the pump housing 12, as can be used, for example, to set the temperature for underfloor heating.

The motor housing 2 with the electronics housing 16 corresponds to the embodiment described above. The pump housing 12 has two suction connections 72, 74, which in the interior each end at a suction-side connection opening 76 (76a and 76b). In this third embodiment, the valve element 18c is also drum-shaped and consists of a pot-shaped lower part 20c, which is closed on its side facing the impeller 14 by a cover 22c. A suction opening 36 is formed in the central region of the cover 22c. The valve element 18c is rotatably mounted on an axle 78 which is arranged in the bottom of the pump housing 12. As in the examples described above, the axis of rotation of the valve element 18c corresponds to the axis of rotation X of the rotor shaft 8. The valve element 18c is also axially displaceable along the axis X and is moved into the position shown in FIG Fig. 20 The rest position shown, in which the valve element 18c is in a released position, in which the lower part 20c does not lie against the bottom of the pump housing 12, so that the valve element 18c is essentially freely rotatable about the axis 78. The front end of the rotor shaft 8, which is designed as a coupling 82, functions as an axial stop in the released position. The coupling 82 engages with a mating coupling 110 which is arranged non-rotatably on the valve element 18c. The coupling 82 has beveled coupling surfaces which essentially describe a sawtooth profile along a circumferential line in such a way that torque transmission from the coupling 82 to the mating coupling 110 is only possible in one direction of rotation, namely in the direction of rotation A in Fig. 18 . In the opposite direction of rotation B, however, the clutch slips, resulting in an axial movement of the valve element 18c. The direction of rotation B is that direction of rotation in which the pump unit is driven in normal operation. The direction of rotation A, on the other hand, is used for the targeted adjustment of the valve element 18c. This means that a coupling that is dependent on the direction of rotation is formed here. In addition, however, in this embodiment too, the mating clutch 110 is disengaged from the clutch 82 by the pressure in the pressure chamber 28 Intervention. If the pressure in the pressure chamber 28 increases, a pressure force acts on the cover 22c as a pressure surface which opposes and exceeds the spring force of the spring 80, so that the valve element 18c is pressed into the adjacent position, which in Fig. 19 is shown. In this, the lower part 20c rests against the bottom side of the pump housing 12, so that, on the one hand, the valve element 18c is held in a non-positive manner and, on the other hand, a tight contact is achieved, which seals the pressure and suction sides from one another in the manner described below.

The pump housing 12 has two suction connections 72 and 74, of which the suction connection 72 opens into a suction-side connection opening 76a and the suction connection 74 opens into a suction-side connection opening 76b in the bottom of the pump housing 12 in its interior, i.e. the suction chamber. The bottom part 20c of the valve element 18c has an arcuate switching opening or opening 112 in its bottom, which extends essentially over 90 °. Figure 21a shows a first switching position in which the opening 112 only covers the connection opening 76b, so that there is a flow path only from the suction connection 72 to the suction opening 24 and thus to the suction mouth 26 of the impeller 14. The second connection opening 76a is tightly closed by the base of the valve element 18c resting in its peripheral area. Figure 21c shows the second switching position in which the opening 112 only covers the connection opening 76a, while the connection opening 76b is closed. In this switching position, only one flow path from the suction connection 74 to the suction mouth 26 is open. Figure 21b now shows an intermediate position in which the opening 112 covers both connection openings 76a and 76b, the connection opening 76b being only partially exposed. By changing the degree of opening of the connection opening 76b, a mixing ratio between the flows from the connection openings 76a and 76b can be changed. About that gradually Adjustment of the rotor shaft 8, the valve element 18c can also be adjusted in small steps in order to change the mixing ratio.

Such a step-by-step adjustment of the rotor shaft 8 can be initiated by the control device 17 in the electronics housing 16 in a special operating mode. This means that there is no need for a separate adjusting motor. The drive motor is operated in the special operating mode in open-loop operation, whereby it can be controlled in such a way that it can be rotated step by step into the desired angular positions. As a result, the required angular positions for setting the desired mixing ratio can be approached in a targeted manner, with regulation using a temperature sensor on the output side, not shown here, being able to take place.

Such a functionality can for example in a hydraulic system, as it is in Fig. 22 is shown to apply. There the centrifugal pump unit with the integrated valve, as described above, is indicated by the dashed line 1. The hydraulic circuit has a heat source 114 in the form of, for example, a gas boiler, the outlet of which opens into, for example, the suction connection 74 of the pump housing 12. In this example, an underfloor heating circuit 116 is connected to the pressure connection 115 of the centrifugal pump unit 1, the return of which is connected both to the inlet of the heat source 114 and to the suction connection 72 of the centrifugal pump unit 1. A further heating circuit 120 can be supplied with a heat transfer medium, which has the temperature of the heat source 114 on the outlet side, via a second circulating pump assembly 118. The flow temperature of the underfloor heating circuit 116, on the other hand, can be regulated in such a way that cold water from the return is mixed with the hot water on the outlet side of the heat source 114, by changing the opening ratios of the suction-side connection openings 76a and 76b, the mixing ratio can be changed in the manner described above by rotating the valve element 18c.

In this exemplary embodiment, too, the impeller 14 has a cover disk 30 so that there is a separation between the pressure chamber 28 and the suction area of the pump assembly, the surface of the cover 22c facing the pressure chamber 28 as a pressure surface. Here, too, the suction opening 24 is in sealing engagement with the suction mouth 26.

The fourth embodiment according to Figures 23 to 29 shows a pump unit or centrifugal pump unit which, in addition to the mixer functionality described above, in the third embodiment also has a switchover functionality for the additional supply of a secondary heat exchanger for heating domestic water.

The mounting and the drive of the valve element 18d takes place in this embodiment in the same way as in the third embodiment. In contrast to the valve element 18c, the valve element 18d has, in addition to the opening 112, a through channel 122 which extends from an opening 124 in the cover 22d to an opening in the bottom of the lower part 20d and thus connects the two axial ends of the valve element 18d to one another. Furthermore, an arcuate bridging opening 126 which is only open to the underside, that is to say to the bottom of the lower part 20d and thus to the suction chamber, is formed in the valve element 18d, which is closed to the pressure chamber 26 by the cover 22d.

In addition to the pressure connection 115 and the two suction connections 74 and 72 described above, the pump housing 12 has a further connection 128. The connection 128 opens into a connection opening or an inlet 130 in the bottom of the pump housing 12 in addition to the connection openings 76a and 76b into the suction chamber. Based on Figures 28a to 28d the various switching positions are explained, the cover 22d of the valve element 18d being shown partially open in these figures in order to clarify the position of the openings below. Figure 28a shows a first switching position in which the opening 112 is opposite the connection opening 76b, so that a flow connection is established from the suction connection 12 to the suction mouth 26 of the impeller 14. In the switch position according to Figure 28b the opening 112 lies above the inlet 130, so that a flow connection is created from the connection 128 to the suction opening 24 and via this into the suction mouth 26 of the impeller 14. In another switch position, which Figure 28c shows, the opening 112 lies above the connection opening 76b, so that in turn a flow connection from the suction connection 72 to the suction mouth 26 of the impeller 14 is provided. At the same time there is a partial overlap of the switching opening or opening 124 and the through hole 122 with the inlet 76a, so that a connection is established between the pressure chamber 28 and the suction connection 74, which here functions as a pressure connection. At the same time, the bridging opening 126 covers the input 130 and part of the input 76a, so that a connection is also created from the connection 128 via the input 130, the bridging opening 126 and the input 76a to the connection 74.

Fig. 28d shows a fourth switching position in which the through-channel 122 completely covers the inlet 76a, so that the connection 74 is connected to the pressure chamber 28 via the through-channel 122 and the opening 124. At the same time, the bridging opening 126 only covers the input 130. The opening 112 continues to cover the input 76b.

Such a centrifugal pump unit can, for example, be used in a heating system as shown in Fig. 29 is shown to find use. There, the dashed line delimits the centrifugal pump unit 1, as it is based on the Figures 23 to 28 has been described. The heating system in turn has a primary heat exchanger or a heat source 114, which can be a gas boiler, for example. On the output side, the flow path runs into a first heating circuit 120, which can be formed, for example, by conventional heating elements or radiators. At the same time, a flow path branches off to a secondary heat exchanger 70 for heating domestic water. The heating system also has an underfloor heating circuit 116. The returns of the heating circuit 120 and the floor heating circuit 116 open into the suction connection 72 on the pump housing 12. The return from the secondary heat exchanger 70 opens into the connection 128, which, as will be described below, offers two functionalities. The connection 74 of the pump housing 12 is connected to the flow of the underfloor heating circuit 116.

When the valve element 18d is in the first in Figure 28a is located, the impeller 14 conveys liquid from the suction connection 72 via the pressure connection 115 through the heat source 140 and the heating circuit 120 and back to the suction connection 72. If the valve element 18d is in the second switching position, which is shown in FIG Figure 28b is shown, the system is switched to domestic water operation, in this state the pump unit or the impeller 14 pumps liquid from the connection 128, which serves as a suction connection, through the pressure connection 115, via the heat source 114 through the secondary heat exchanger 70 and back to the connection 128. If the valve element 18d is in the third switching position, which is shown in FIG Figure 28c is shown, the underfloor heating circuit 116 is also supplied. The water flows via the suction connection 72 into the suction mouth 26 of the impeller 14 and is via the pressure connection 115 via the heat source 114 conveyed through the first heating circuit 120 in the manner described. At the same time, on the outlet side of the impeller 14, the liquid exits the pressure chamber 28 into the opening 124 and through the passage 122 and thus flows to the connection 74 and via this into the underfloor heating circuit 116.

In the in Figure 28c The switching position shown flows simultaneously via the bypass opening 126 via the connection 128 and the inlet 130 into the connection 74. That is, here water flows via the heat source 114 through the secondary heat exchanger 70 and the connection 128 to the connection 74 Secondary heat exchanger 70, if essentially no heat is removed, hot water is added to the connection 74 in addition to the cold water which flows from the pressure chamber 28 via the through-channel 122 to the connection 74. By changing the degree of opening via the valve position 18d, the amount of warm water mixed in at connection 74 can be varied. Fig. 28d shows a switching position in which the admixture is switched off and the connection 74 is only in direct connection with the pressure chamber 28. In this state, the water in the floor circuit 116 is conveyed in the circuit without the supply of heat. It can be seen that by changing the switching positions of the valve element 18d in this embodiment, both a switchover between heating and domestic water heating can be achieved and, at the same time, two heating circuits can be supplied with different temperatures, namely a first heating circuit 120 with the output temperature of the heat source 114 and an underfloor heating circuit 116 with a temperature reduced via a mixing function. The rotation or adjustment of the valve element 18d takes place in the same way as described with reference to the third exemplary embodiment, via the drive motor of the pump assembly.

It is to be understood that the various embodiments described above can be combined with one another in various ways. Thus, the different types of drive of the valve element described can essentially be combined as desired with different geometrical configurations of the valve element, as were also described above. The different valve functionalities (for example mixing and switching) can also be implemented and combined with different drive types. These various possible combinations, which result from the preceding exemplary embodiments, are in this respect expressly included in the invention. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the pump housing is formed in one piece or in one piece with the housing in which the valve element is arranged. It should be understood that a multi-part structure is possible in a corresponding manner. The scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.

List of reference symbols

1

Pump unit or centrifugal pump unit

2

Motor housing

4th

stator

6th

rotor

8th

Rotor shaft

10

Can

12, 12 '

Pump housing

14th

Wheel

16

Electronics housing

17th

Control device

18, 18 ', 18c, 18d

Valve element

20, 20 ', 20c, 20d

Lower part

22, 22 ', 22c, 22d

lid

24

Suction opening

26th

Suction mouth

28

Printing room

30th

Cover disk

32

wave

34

Variable displacement motor

36, 36a, 36b

Inlet or suction connection

38, 40, 42, 44, 38 ', 40', 42 '

Outlet or pressure connection

46

Regulating valve

48, 48a, 48b

connection opening on the suction side

50

connection openings on the pressure side

52

Pressure openings

54, 54 '

switching opening on the pressure side

56, 56'a, 56'b

switching openings on the suction side

58

outer ring opening

60

inner ring opening

62

Control discs

64

Heat source

66, 68

Heating circuits

70

Secondary heat exchanger

72, 74

Suction connections

76a, 76b

Connection openings or inputs on the suction side

78

axis

80

feather

82

coupling

110

Mating coupling

114

Heat source

115

Pressure connection

116

Underfloor heating circuit

118

Circulation pump unit

120

Heating circuit

122

Passage channel

124

opening

126

Bypass opening

128

connection

X

Longitudinal or rotary axis

AWAY

Directions of rotation

Claims (17)

1. A pump assembly with at least one rotatingly driven impeller (14) and with at least one valve element (18) which is rotatable about a rotation axis (X) between at least two switching positions,
   wherein
   the valve element (18) is designed in a drum-like manner with a peripheral wall (20) which extends annularly about the rotation axis (X), and a first face side (22) which extends transversely to the rotation axis and a second face side which is away from this first face side in the direction of the rotation axis (X),
   a suction opening (24) which is engaged with a suction port (26) of the impeller (14) is formed in this first face side in the central region and
   the first face side (22) comprises a pressure surface which surrounds the suction opening (24) and which is adjacent to a delivery chamber (28) which surrounds the impeller (14), characterised in that the valve element (18) lies opposite at least two branch openings (48, 50) in a manner such that the at least two branch openings (48, 50) lie opposite the second face side of the valve element (18), and in its inside comprises at least one connection which depending on the positioning or the switching position of the valve element (18) selectively connects one of the branch openings (48) to the suction opening (24) or selectively connects one of the branch openings (50) to a pressure opening (52) in the pressure surface or connects at least two branch openings (48, 50) to one another.
2. A pump assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotation axis (X) of the valve element (18) lies in a manner aligned to a rotation axis (X) of the impeller (14).
3. A pump assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the impeller (14) is closed at the face side by a shroud (30) in a manner surrounding the suction port (26), and that preferably a peripheral edge of the suction port (26) is sealingly engaged with a peripheral edge of the suction opening (24).
4. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one pressure opening (52) is formed in the pressure surface of the valve element (18), said pressure opening being flow-connected to at least one delivery branch (38, 40, 42, 44) of the pump assembly in at least one of the switching positions of the valve element (18)
5. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the peripheral wall is designed in a closed manner.
6. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction opening (24) of the valve element (18) via a connection in the inside of the valve element (18) is connected to at least one suction-side switching opening (56) and preferably to at least two suction-side switching openings (56), said switching openings being in the valve element (18) and arranged in a manner such that they can be brought to overlap with two suction-side branch openings (48) to a different extent depending on the positioning of the valve element (18).
7. A pump assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the at least two suction-side switching openings (56) are radially distanced to the rotation axis (X) of the valve element (18) to a different extent.
8. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one and further preferably several pressure openings (52) are formed in the pressure surface (22) of the valve element (18), said openings via a connection in the inside of the valve element (18) being connected to one or more delivery-side switching openings (54) which are arranged in a manner such that they can each be brought to overlap with a delivery-side branch opening (50) depending on the switching position of the valve element (18).
9. A pump assembly according to one of the claims 6 and 7 and according to claim 8, characterised in that the delivery-side switching openings (54) are distanced radially further to the rotation axis (X) of the valve element (18) than the suction-side switching openings (56).
10. A pump assembly according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that several delivery-side branch openings (50) and several delivery-side switching openings (54) are arranged in a manner such that in a first switching position of the valve element (18) only one delivery-side switching opening (54) lies opposite a delivery-side branch opening (50) and in at least one second switching position at least two delivery-side switching openings (54) each lie opposite a delivery-side branch opening (50).
11. A pump assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the delivery-side switching openings (54) and delivery-side branch openings (50) are arranged in a manner such that in each case in a special switching position of the valve element (18) each of the delivery-side branch openings (50) individually lies opposite a delivery-side switching opening (54) and preferably in at least one further switching position simultaneously several of the delivery-side branch openings (50) lie opposite a delivery-side switching opening (54).
12. A pump assembly according to one of the claims 8 to 11 and one of the claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the suction-side switching openings (56) are arranged in a manner such that in each of the switching positions of the valve element (18), in which one or more delivery-side switching openings (54) lie opposite a delivery-side branch opening (50) in each case, at least one suction-side switching opening (56) lies opposite a suction-side branch opening (48), wherein the arrangement is preferably such that the degree of overlapping of the suction-side switching opening (56) with the at least one suction-side branch opening (48) can be varied by way of changing the positioning of the valve element (18) within the switching position.
13. A pump assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that the suction-side switching openings (56) are arranged in a manner such that at least one suction-side switching opening (56) lies opposite two suction-side branch openings (48) in each of the switching positions of the valve element (18), wherein the arrangement is preferably such that the degree of overlapping of the at least one suction-side switching opening (56) with the suction-side branch openings (48) can be varied by way of changing the positioning of the valve element (18) within the switching position.
14. A pump assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the valve element (18) is designed such that a change of the positioning of the valve element (18) is effected by way of the rotation of this element in an angular range which is smaller than an angle region between the switching positions.
15. A pump assembly according to one of the claims 12 to 14, characterised in that for its movement, the valve element (18) can be coupled to a rotor (6) of a drive motor which drives the impeller (14), by way of a magnetic, mechanical and/or hydraulic coupling, or has its own actuation motor (34) which is preferably designed as a stepper motor.
16. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that valve element (18) is designed and arranged such that the rotation angles between the individual switching positions correspond to a fixed, uniform angular step or a multiple of a fixed angular step.
17. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the valve element (18) is mounted such that it is linearly movable along its rotation axis (X) between a bearing position, in which the valve element (18) bears on at least one contact surface, and a released position, in which the valve element (18) is distanced to the contact surface, wherein the contact surface is preferably at least one sealing surface and further preferably at least one sealing surface which surrounds a branch opening (48, 50).

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