EP3728956B1 - Collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type - Google Patents
Collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3728956B1 EP3728956B1 EP18842656.3A EP18842656A EP3728956B1 EP 3728956 B1 EP3728956 B1 EP 3728956B1 EP 18842656 A EP18842656 A EP 18842656A EP 3728956 B1 EP3728956 B1 EP 3728956B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- collector
- duct
- terminal portion
- passage
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 239000013529 heat transfer fluid Substances 0.000 title claims description 20
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 14
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000028016 temperature homeostasis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009827 uniform distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
- F24D3/10—Feed-line arrangements, e.g. providing for heat-accumulator tanks, expansion tanks ; Hydraulic components of a central heating system
- F24D3/1058—Feed-line arrangements, e.g. providing for heat-accumulator tanks, expansion tanks ; Hydraulic components of a central heating system disposition of pipes and pipe connections
- F24D3/1066—Distributors for heating liquids
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
- F25B2345/002—Collecting refrigerant from a cycle
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, according to the preamble of claim 1.
- a collector is known from document DE 19642721 A1 .
- a collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, is known in the art, wherein the collector comprises a housing, usually made of plastic or metallic material, which is provided with:
- the collector of the type known in the art further comprises a port for a branching pipe, in particular said port being hydraulically connected to the duct and being usually arranged radially relative thereto.
- the collectors known in the art also include a shut-off valve that allows controlling the opening and/or closing of said passage in order to either allow or prevent the fluid to flow from said duct into said at least one port.
- thermo zone refers to any portion of a building which has uniform characteristics of utilization and exposure.
- shut-off valves known in the art while they may be constructed for manual operation, usually operate automatically, since they comprise a servocontrol (which may be, for example, of electrothermal or electromechanical type) which is appropriately driven by a thermoregulation device installed in the served environment.
- a servocontrol which may be, for example, of electrothermal or electromechanical type
- Figures 1 and 2 show two different embodiments of a collector (designated as a whole by reference numeral 1) for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, according to the present invention.
- the collector 1 is provided with a housing 10 equipped with:
- the housing 10 of the collector 1 may be made of any material suitable to allow a heat transfer fluid for a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network to flow through the first terminal portion 11, the duct 13 and the second terminal portion 12.
- the duct 13 is preferably so constructed as to have a substantially circular cross-section, in particular said cross-section being the one through which a fluid can flow.
- the collector 1 is also equipped with a shut-off valve (designated as a whole by reference numeral 20) positioned at least partly in the duct 13 and comprising a movable obstructor 21 for adjusting the opening and/or closing of a passage 14 in said duct 13.
- a shut-off valve designated as a whole by reference numeral 20
- a movable obstructor 21 for adjusting the opening and/or closing of a passage 14 in said duct 13.
- the passage 14 starts from a wall 15 that delimits the duct 13, in particular substantially perpendicularly to the development of the duct 13. Furthermore, the passage 14 is obtained on an intermediate portion of the duct 13; as a consequence, also said shut-off valve 20 may be substantially associated with an intermediate portion of the duct 13.
- said shut-off valve 20 is so constructed that the movable obstructor 21 can be operated either manually, e.g. by means of a suitable control wheel (not shown in the drawings), or by means of an electrothermal or electromechanical actuator, which will tend to hold the movable obstructor 21 in the opening condition.
- a suitable control wheel not shown in the drawings
- an electrothermal or electromechanical actuator which will tend to hold the movable obstructor 21 in the opening condition.
- the movable obstructor 21 is pushed and overcomes the countering force of a spring 22, thus moving into the position in which it closes the passage 14 (as shown in the annexed drawings).
- the collector 1 comprises:
- said chamber 30 is interposed between the passage 14 of the duct 13 and said plurality of ports 40; as a consequence, the chamber 30 allows putting the ducts 13 in fluidic communication with the plurality of ports 40 through said passage 14, in particular in the situation (not shown in the annexed drawings) in which no thrust action is being exerted on the movable obstructor 21 by the actuator and/or by the manual control that holds it in the closed condition, so that the countering force of the spring 22 brings it back into the position in which it opens the passage 14.
- the chamber 30 defines a conduit that develops substantially parallel to the duct 13.
- the chamber 30 is preferably obtained directly in said housing 10 of the collector 1, e.g. during the manufacturing stages (e.g. melting, moulding and/or subsequent processing); in this embodiment (shown in the annexed drawings), the chamber 30 is separated from said duct 13 by the wall 15, in particular the passage 14 being formed on said wall 15.
- each port 40 of said plurality of ports 40 extends radially from said chamber 30.
- the collector 1 may be so constructed as to comprise a variable number of ports 40 communicating with the chamber 30.
- Figure 1 shows a collector 1 provided with two ports 40, so that it can distribute the heat transfer fluid to a pair of branching pipes directed towards the same "thermal zone"
- Figure 2 shows a collector 1 provided with three ports 40, so that it can distribute the heat transfer fluid to three different branching pipes directed towards the same "thermal zone”.
- the collector 1 according to the present invention may preferably be designed to comprise a number of ports 40 in the range of two to five. It is however clear that the principles of the present invention may also find application in cases wherein the collector 1 is so designed as to comprise a number of ports 40 greater than five.
- the collector 1 may be so constructed as to comprise a plurality of ports 40 communicating with the chamber 30, wherein the ports 40 of one collector 1 are typically connected to respective branching pipes in order to distribute the heat transfer fluid homogeneously to the same "thermal zone" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network.
- the peculiar provisions of the present invention thus allow providing a distribution collector 1 so conceived as to considerably reduce the purchase cost and the operating and maintenance costs thereof.
- the provision of the chamber 30 interposed between the duct 13 of the housing 10 and the plurality of ports 40 allows the use of one and only one shut-off valve 20 in the collector 1, since said one shut-off valve 20 allows obtaining the opening or the closing of the passage 14 and, consequently, a diversified distribution of the heat transfer fluid to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network.
- collector 1 is so constructed as to comprise only one shut-off valve 20 also allows for a significant simplification of the processes to be carried out in order to install the collector 1 and the whole circuit it belongs to.
- the first terminal portion 11 and the second terminal portion 12 comprise coupling means, in particular so realized as to extend in a direction substantially coaxial to said duct 13.
- Said coupling means comprise:
- the male connection portion 10M and the female connection portion 10F may be reversed, in that the male connection portion 10M may be located at the second terminal portion 12 and the female connection portion 10F may be located at the first terminal portion 11.
- the size and shape of the female connection portion 10F are complementary to those of the male connection portion 10M; as a consequence, the female connection portion 10F of one collector 1 can receive the male connection portion 10M of a contiguous collector 1 (as can be seen in Fig. 3 ), so as to create a cylindrical tightening surface between said collectors 1.
- the female connection portion 10F and the male connection portion 10M may be so constructed as to comprise respective threads (as shown in the annexed drawings) to facilitate the coupling between contiguous collectors 1.
- connection portion 10F and the male connection portion 10M may then be each equipped with a seat (not shown) suitable for receiving a sealing element, e.g. a toroidal gasket (also not shown); said connection means 10F, 10M and said sealing element thus allow providing a modular collector 1, which can be easily and quickly assembled, and which is so constructed as to prevent any undesired leaking of heat transfer fluid flowing through a plurality of collectors 1.
- a sealing element e.g. a toroidal gasket
- said female connection portion 10F and/or said male connection portion 10M may also be associated with a closing element (e.g. a cap or a cover, not shown in the annexed drawings) for closing the first terminal portion 11 and/or the second terminal portion 12 and, as a result, for closing the duct 13.
- a closing element e.g. a cap or a cover, not shown in the annexed drawings
- the collector 1 may be so constructed as to comprise a variable number of ports 40 communicating with the chamber 30, and two or more collectors 1 can be assembled together in order to form a modular collector 1.
- Fig. 3 one can see that, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to assemble together two or more collectors 1 provided with a different number of ports 40, so as to be able to adequately distribute the heat transfer fluid in a diversified manner to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network.
- a first collector 1 with two ports 40 and a second collector 1 with three ports 40 are assembled together; it is therefore apparent that the first collector 1 with two ports 40 will be able to distribute the fluid evenly to a "thermal zone" with two points of utilization (such points of utilization being, for example, radiators), while in its turn the second collector 1 with three ports 40 will be able to distribute the fluid evenly to another "thermal zone" with three points of utilization. It must be pointed out that fluid distribution from the ports 40 to the respective points of utilization occurs through respective branching pipes (not shown in the annexed drawings).
- the peculiar features of the present invention allow constructing the collector 1 in such a way as to considerably reduce the purchase cost and the operating and maintenance costs thereof.
- the provision of the chamber 30 interposed between the duct 13 of the housing 10 and the plurality of ports 40 allows the use of one and only one shut-off valve 20 in the collector 1, since said one shut-off valve 20 allows obtaining the opening or closing of the passage 14 and, consequently, a uniform distribution of the heat transfer fluid, through said ports 40, to the points of utilization of a given "thermal zone" connected to the ports 40 of the same collector 1, and a diversified distribution to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network which are connected to ports 40 of different collectors 1.
- the provisions of the present invention allow for an adequate distribution of the heat transfer fluid in a diversified manner to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network.
Description
- The present invention relates to a collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, according to the preamble of
claim 1. Such a collector is known from documentDE 19642721 A1 . - A collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, is known in the art, wherein the collector comprises a housing, usually made of plastic or metallic material, which is provided with:
- a first terminal portion, open for the entry of the fluid into the collector;
- a second terminal portion, open for the exit of the fluid from the collector;
- a duct, in particular having a circular cross-section, which extends from said first terminal portion to said second terminal portion for the passage of the fluid.
- The collector of the type known in the art further comprises a port for a branching pipe, in particular said port being hydraulically connected to the duct and being usually arranged radially relative thereto.
- The collectors known in the art also include a shut-off valve that allows controlling the opening and/or closing of said passage in order to either allow or prevent the fluid to flow from said duct into said at least one port.
- In relatively recent times a need as arisen to distribute the heat transfer fluid in a diversified manner to different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of domestic and/or industrial type; this requisite derives from the different possible heating/cooling power requirements of each environment and also from legal regulations, which require that the different "thermal zones" of the network can be independently controlled. In this regard, note that "thermal zone" refers to any portion of a building which has uniform characteristics of utilization and exposure.
- In order to meet this requirement, it is therefore known in the art, for instance in
EP1965119 A1 , to construct the collector in such a way that it comprises: - a plurality of ports, wherein each port is adapted to be coupled to a respective branching pipe;
- a shut-off valve associated with each individual port of said plurality of ports, so that it is possible to regulate the flow of fluid from the collector duct to each individual single port.
- It is therefore apparent that the collectors known in the art suffer from numerous drawbacks.
- In fact, the shut-off valves known in the art, while they may be constructed for manual operation, usually operate automatically, since they comprise a servocontrol (which may be, for example, of electrothermal or electromechanical type) which is appropriately driven by a thermoregulation device installed in the served environment.
- In such circumstances, it is clear that the provision of a shut-off valve for each port of the collector necessarily implies much installed electric power and high power consumption, also considering that the servomotor of each shut-off valve remains powered throughout the opening time of the valve itself. Besides, the collectors known in the art necessarily involve significant and considerable operating and maintenance costs.
- It is also apparent that a collector so designed as to comprise a shut-off valve associated with each individual port results in a very complex installation of the collector for the whole circuit, also because such a construction necessarily requires an increase in the number of electric wires required for the collector to work properly.
- In this frame, it is the main object of the present invention to provide a collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, which is so constructed as to overcome the drawbacks suffered by the distribution devices known in the art.
- In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a distribution collector so conceived as to considerably reduce both the installed electric power and the electric energy consumption.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a distribution collector so conceived as to reduce the purchase cost and the operating and maintenance costs thereof.
- In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a distribution collector so constructed as to allow for a considerable simplification of the processes to be carried out in order to install the collector itself and the whole circuit it belongs to.
- Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non-limiting explanatory example, wherein:
-
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, according to the present invention; -
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a distribution collector according to the present invention; -
Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the collectors ofFigures 1 and2 joined together. - Referring now to the annexed drawings,
Figures 1 and2 show two different embodiments of a collector (designated as a whole by reference numeral 1) for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, according to the present invention. - In both of the embodiments shown in
Figures 1 and2 , thecollector 1 is provided with ahousing 10 equipped with: - a
first terminal portion 11, open for the entry of the fluid into thecollector 1; - a
second terminal portion 12, open for the exit of the fluid from thecollector 1; - a
duct 13, which extends from saidfirst terminal portion 11 to saidsecond terminal portion 12 for the passage of the fluid in thehousing 10 of thecollector 1. - It is clear that the
housing 10 of thecollector 1 may be made of any material suitable to allow a heat transfer fluid for a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network to flow through thefirst terminal portion 11, theduct 13 and thesecond terminal portion 12. Moreover, theduct 13 is preferably so constructed as to have a substantially circular cross-section, in particular said cross-section being the one through which a fluid can flow. - The
collector 1 is also equipped with a shut-off valve (designated as a whole by reference numeral 20) positioned at least partly in theduct 13 and comprising amovable obstructor 21 for adjusting the opening and/or closing of apassage 14 in saidduct 13. - Preferably, the
passage 14 starts from awall 15 that delimits theduct 13, in particular substantially perpendicularly to the development of theduct 13. Furthermore, thepassage 14 is obtained on an intermediate portion of theduct 13; as a consequence, also said shut-offvalve 20 may be substantially associated with an intermediate portion of theduct 13. - Preferably, said shut-off
valve 20 is so constructed that themovable obstructor 21 can be operated either manually, e.g. by means of a suitable control wheel (not shown in the drawings), or by means of an electrothermal or electromechanical actuator, which will tend to hold themovable obstructor 21 in the opening condition. When operated manually or by a powered electrothermal or electromechanical actuator, themovable obstructor 21 is pushed and overcomes the countering force of aspring 22, thus moving into the position in which it closes the passage 14 (as shown in the annexed drawings). - In accordance with the present invention, the
collector 1 comprises: - a
chamber 30 that communicates with theduct 13 through saidpassage 14, when the shut-offvalve 20 is in a condition in which it opens thepassage 14, - a plurality of
ports 40 that communicate withsaid chamber 30, in particular eachport 40 being adapted to be associated with a respective branching pipe (said branching pipes not being shown in the annexed drawings). - In the annexed drawings it can be noticed that said
chamber 30 is interposed between thepassage 14 of theduct 13 and said plurality ofports 40; as a consequence, thechamber 30 allows putting theducts 13 in fluidic communication with the plurality ofports 40 through saidpassage 14, in particular in the situation (not shown in the annexed drawings) in which no thrust action is being exerted on themovable obstructor 21 by the actuator and/or by the manual control that holds it in the closed condition, so that the countering force of thespring 22 brings it back into the position in which it opens thepassage 14. As can be seen in the annexed drawings, thechamber 30 defines a conduit that develops substantially parallel to theduct 13. - It must be pointed out that the
chamber 30 is preferably obtained directly in saidhousing 10 of thecollector 1, e.g. during the manufacturing stages (e.g. melting, moulding and/or subsequent processing); in this embodiment (shown in the annexed drawings), thechamber 30 is separated fromsaid duct 13 by thewall 15, in particular thepassage 14 being formed onsaid wall 15. - Preferably, each
port 40 of said plurality ofports 40 extends radially fromsaid chamber 30. - As can be seen in
Figures 1 and2 , thecollector 1 may be so constructed as to comprise a variable number ofports 40 communicating with thechamber 30. In fact,Figure 1 shows acollector 1 provided with twoports 40, so that it can distribute the heat transfer fluid to a pair of branching pipes directed towards the same "thermal zone";Figure 2 shows acollector 1 provided with threeports 40, so that it can distribute the heat transfer fluid to three different branching pipes directed towards the same "thermal zone". Therefore, thecollector 1 according to the present invention may preferably be designed to comprise a number ofports 40 in the range of two to five. It is however clear that the principles of the present invention may also find application in cases wherein thecollector 1 is so designed as to comprise a number ofports 40 greater than five. - It is therefore evident that the
collector 1 according to the present invention may be so constructed as to comprise a plurality ofports 40 communicating with thechamber 30, wherein theports 40 of onecollector 1 are typically connected to respective branching pipes in order to distribute the heat transfer fluid homogeneously to the same "thermal zone" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network. - The peculiar provisions of the present invention thus allow providing a
distribution collector 1 so conceived as to considerably reduce the purchase cost and the operating and maintenance costs thereof. - In fact, the provision of the
chamber 30 interposed between theduct 13 of thehousing 10 and the plurality ofports 40 allows the use of one and only one shut-offvalve 20 in thecollector 1, since said one shut-offvalve 20 allows obtaining the opening or the closing of thepassage 14 and, consequently, a diversified distribution of the heat transfer fluid to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network. - It is therefore apparent that the provision of the
chamber 30, which allows the use of only one shut-offvalve 20 in thecollector 1 to cause the heat transfer fluid to flow from theduct 13 to a plurality ofports 40 at the same time, inevitably leads to a considerable reduction in the consumption of electric energy that was required by the greater number of actuators that needed to be employed in the prior art. - The fact that the
collector 1 is so constructed as to comprise only one shut-offvalve 20 also allows for a significant simplification of the processes to be carried out in order to install thecollector 1 and the whole circuit it belongs to. - In a preferred embodiment, shown in
Figures 1 to 3 , thefirst terminal portion 11 and thesecond terminal portion 12 comprise coupling means, in particular so realized as to extend in a direction substantially coaxial to saidduct 13. - Said coupling means comprise:
- a
male connection portion 10M, in particular located at saidfirst terminal portion 11, and - a
female connection portion 10F, in particular located at thesecond terminal portion 12. - It is clear that, in accordance with the present invention, the
male connection portion 10M and thefemale connection portion 10F may be reversed, in that themale connection portion 10M may be located at thesecond terminal portion 12 and thefemale connection portion 10F may be located at thefirst terminal portion 11. - The size and shape of the
female connection portion 10F are complementary to those of themale connection portion 10M; as a consequence, thefemale connection portion 10F of onecollector 1 can receive themale connection portion 10M of a contiguous collector 1 (as can be seen inFig. 3 ), so as to create a cylindrical tightening surface between saidcollectors 1. - The
female connection portion 10F and themale connection portion 10M may be so constructed as to comprise respective threads (as shown in the annexed drawings) to facilitate the coupling betweencontiguous collectors 1. - The
female connection portion 10F and themale connection portion 10M may then be each equipped with a seat (not shown) suitable for receiving a sealing element, e.g. a toroidal gasket (also not shown); said connection means 10F, 10M and said sealing element thus allow providing amodular collector 1, which can be easily and quickly assembled, and which is so constructed as to prevent any undesired leaking of heat transfer fluid flowing through a plurality ofcollectors 1. - It should be noted that said
female connection portion 10F and/or saidmale connection portion 10M may also be associated with a closing element (e.g. a cap or a cover, not shown in the annexed drawings) for closing thefirst terminal portion 11 and/or thesecond terminal portion 12 and, as a result, for closing theduct 13. - It should also be noted that said coupling means may be constructed differently from those shown in the annexed drawings.
- As previously pointed out, the
collector 1 may be so constructed as to comprise a variable number ofports 40 communicating with thechamber 30, and two ormore collectors 1 can be assembled together in order to form amodular collector 1. - In this respect, in
Fig. 3 one can see that, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to assemble together two ormore collectors 1 provided with a different number ofports 40, so as to be able to adequately distribute the heat transfer fluid in a diversified manner to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network. - In fact, in the embodiment shown in
Fig. 3 afirst collector 1 with twoports 40 and asecond collector 1 with threeports 40 are assembled together; it is therefore apparent that thefirst collector 1 with twoports 40 will be able to distribute the fluid evenly to a "thermal zone" with two points of utilization (such points of utilization being, for example, radiators), while in its turn thesecond collector 1 with threeports 40 will be able to distribute the fluid evenly to another "thermal zone" with three points of utilization. It must be pointed out that fluid distribution from theports 40 to the respective points of utilization occurs through respective branching pipes (not shown in the annexed drawings). It must also be pointed out that, in the embodiment shown inFigure 3 , when the shut-off valve of thefirst collector 1 is closing thepassage 14, thus closing the associated "thermal zone", the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow into thesecond collector 1 and be then distributed to the next "thermal zone" associated with saidsecond collector 1, in a condition in which thepassage 14 of thesecond collector 1 is open. The features of thecollector 1 according to the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof, are apparent from the above description. - In particular, the peculiar features of the present invention allow constructing the
collector 1 in such a way as to considerably reduce the purchase cost and the operating and maintenance costs thereof. - In fact, the provision of the
chamber 30 interposed between theduct 13 of thehousing 10 and the plurality ofports 40 allows the use of one and only one shut-offvalve 20 in thecollector 1, since said one shut-offvalve 20 allows obtaining the opening or closing of thepassage 14 and, consequently, a uniform distribution of the heat transfer fluid, through saidports 40, to the points of utilization of a given "thermal zone" connected to theports 40 of thesame collector 1, and a diversified distribution to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network which are connected toports 40 ofdifferent collectors 1. - It is therefore apparent that the provision of the
chamber 30, which allows the use of one and only one shut-offvalve 20 in eachcollector 1 to cause the heat transfer fluid to flow from theduct 13 to a plurality ofports 40 at the same time, inevitably results in a considerable reduction of the installed electric power and electric energy consumption. The fact that thecollector 1 is so constructed as to comprise only one shut-offvalve 20 also allows for a significant simplification of the processes to be carried out in order to install thecollector 1 and the whole circuit it belongs to. - Since it is possible to assemble together two or
more collectors 1, even when they have a different number ofports 40, the provisions of the present invention allow for an adequate distribution of the heat transfer fluid in a diversified manner to the different "thermal zones" of a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network. - It can be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described
collector 1, but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the scope of the invention, as clearly specified in the following claims.
Claims (11)
- Collector (1) for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type, said collector (1) comprising a housing (10) comprising:- a first terminal portion (11), open for the entry of the fluid into the collector (1);- a second terminal portion (12), open for the exit of the fluid from the collector (1);- a duct (13), which extends from said first terminal portion (11) to said second terminal portion (12) for the passage of the fluid in the housing (10) of the collector (1),wherein the collector (1) comprises only one shut-off valve (20) positioned at least partly in the duct (13) and comprising a movable obstructor (21) for adjusting the opening and/or closing of a passage (14) obtained on an intermediate portion of said duct (13), said collector (1) comprises:- a chamber (30) that communicates with the duct (13) through said passage (14) when the shut-off valve (20) is in a condition in which it opens said unique passage (14), and- a plurality of ports (40) that communicate with said chamber (30), in particular each port (40) being adapted to be associated with a respective branching pipe, the collector being characterized in that said passage (14) is the unique passage obtained on an intermediate portion of said duct (13), and said chamber (30) communicates with said duct (13) only through said unique passage (14).
- Collector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said chamber (30) defines a conduit developing substantially parallel to the duct (13).
- Collector (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said chamber (30) is obtained directly in said housing (10) of the collector (1).
- Collector (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said chamber (30) is separated from said duct (13) by a wall (15) whereon the unique passage (14) is formed.
- Collector (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the unique passage (14) extends from said wall (15) that delimits the duct (13), in particular in a way substantially perpendicular to said duct (13).
- Collector (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each port (40) of said plurality of ports (40) extends radially from said chamber (30).
- Collector (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first terminal portion (11) and second terminal portion (12) comprise coupling means, in particular so constructed as to develop in a direction substantially coaxial to said duct (13).
- Collector (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said coupling means comprise:- a male connection portion (10M), in particular located at said first terminal portion (11), and- a female connection portion (10F), in particular located at the second terminal portion (12).
- Collector (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the size and shape of the female connection portion (10F) are complementary to those of the male connection portion (10M).
- Collector (1) according to one or more of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the female connection portion (10F) and the male connection portion (10M) are so constructed as to comprise respective threads.
- Collector (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closing element for closing the first terminal portion (11) and/or the second terminal portion (12).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT201700147600 | 2017-12-20 | ||
PCT/IB2018/060328 WO2019123308A1 (en) | 2017-12-20 | 2018-12-19 | Collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3728956A1 EP3728956A1 (en) | 2020-10-28 |
EP3728956B1 true EP3728956B1 (en) | 2023-10-04 |
Family
ID=65269005
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18842656.3A Active EP3728956B1 (en) | 2017-12-20 | 2018-12-19 | Collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20200378665A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3728956B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111684207B (en) |
IL (1) | IL275538A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019123308A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1965119A1 (en) * | 2007-02-28 | 2008-09-03 | AFRISO Euro-Index GmbH für Sicherungsarmaturen und Füllstandsmessung | Distribution pipe and hot water distributor for underfloor heating as well as method for manufacturing distribution pipe |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0082888A1 (en) * | 1981-12-28 | 1983-07-06 | Dietrich Probst | Heating circuit distributor, especially for large-surface heating installations employing a fluid such as floor heating installations or the like |
DE3241536A1 (en) * | 1982-11-10 | 1984-05-10 | Grammer, Meinrad, Ing.(grad.), 7407 Rottenburg | CONNECTING DEVICE FOR HEATING SYSTEMS |
SE502584C2 (en) * | 1992-04-06 | 1995-11-20 | Erroell Ab | Shuntventilanordningar |
DE4241139C2 (en) * | 1992-12-07 | 1997-02-13 | Harald Trillitzsch | Distributor, especially for heating systems, consisting of a flow and return chamber with connecting piece and mixing device |
FR2740204B1 (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1997-12-26 | Guillot Ind Sa | CONNECTION DEVICE ON A REGULATED BOILER FOR SUPPLYING AND CONTROLLING TWO HEATING CIRCUITS |
FR2793867B1 (en) * | 1999-05-20 | 2001-06-29 | Comap Abbeville | MODULE FOR A COLLECTOR FOR FLUID DISTRIBUTION AND FASTENING SYSTEM FOR SUCH MODULES |
ATE334349T1 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2006-08-15 | Watts Ind Deutschland Ges Mit | DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING LIQUIDS |
KR100648415B1 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2006-11-24 | 고려전자주식회사 | Valve for passage of hot water distributor for heating system |
JP3800428B1 (en) * | 2005-08-24 | 2006-07-26 | 東フロコーポレーション株式会社 | Collective piping unit with built-in flow sensor |
KR100714502B1 (en) * | 2005-11-28 | 2007-05-07 | 신한콘트롤밸브 주식회사 | hot water distributor's flow regulation valve |
KR20070099148A (en) * | 2006-04-03 | 2007-10-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerant passage conversion valve and refrigerator having the same |
WO2012083448A1 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2012-06-28 | Dana Canada Corporation | Valve apparatus |
DE102011111771A1 (en) * | 2011-08-24 | 2013-02-28 | Nevzat Elkün | fluid distributor |
RU2488031C1 (en) * | 2012-05-11 | 2013-07-20 | Павел Эдуардович Мельников | Supply manifold |
BR112014029549A2 (en) * | 2012-06-01 | 2017-06-27 | Avk Holding As | hydraulic control valve assembly, and, pilot operated hydraulic control system |
DE202015101609U1 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2016-07-01 | Danfoss A/S | distribution device |
CA2980682A1 (en) * | 2015-04-09 | 2016-10-13 | Giacomini S.P.A. | Multiway valve with bypass circuit |
CN106524272B (en) * | 2016-10-27 | 2019-04-26 | 华北科技学院 | A kind of floor heating special stainless steel water segregator |
-
2018
- 2018-12-19 CN CN201880088185.2A patent/CN111684207B/en active Active
- 2018-12-19 WO PCT/IB2018/060328 patent/WO2019123308A1/en unknown
- 2018-12-19 EP EP18842656.3A patent/EP3728956B1/en active Active
- 2018-12-19 US US16/956,165 patent/US20200378665A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2020
- 2020-06-21 IL IL275538A patent/IL275538A/en unknown
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1965119A1 (en) * | 2007-02-28 | 2008-09-03 | AFRISO Euro-Index GmbH für Sicherungsarmaturen und Füllstandsmessung | Distribution pipe and hot water distributor for underfloor heating as well as method for manufacturing distribution pipe |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN111684207B (en) | 2022-04-29 |
US20200378665A1 (en) | 2020-12-03 |
CN111684207A (en) | 2020-09-18 |
IL275538A (en) | 2020-08-31 |
WO2019123308A1 (en) | 2019-06-27 |
EP3728956A1 (en) | 2020-10-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN107690543B (en) | Multi-way valve with bypass circuit | |
EP1840427B1 (en) | Water valve assembly | |
EP2628984B1 (en) | Improved three-way diverter valve | |
US10072902B2 (en) | Dual fluid valve apparatus and system for controlling two fluid streams incorporating same | |
US20180142802A1 (en) | Valve For Use In the Feed Pipe Or Return Pipe Of A Heating or Cooling Water Circuit | |
RU2633215C2 (en) | Hydraulic valve | |
EP0312505B1 (en) | A distribution and shut-off device for hydraulic systems, particularly for domestic water systems | |
EP3361182B1 (en) | Hydraulic component for a heating or air-conditioning system | |
EP2280205B1 (en) | Diverter valve and heating system | |
EP3728956B1 (en) | Collector for distributing a heat transfer fluid in a heating and/or cooling and/or conditioning network, in particular of household and/or industrial type | |
EP0466010B1 (en) | A valve assembly for heating plants | |
EP2730824B1 (en) | Fluid control valve | |
EP2775218B1 (en) | Heat exchanger valve arrangement | |
EP2964845B1 (en) | Apparatus, group and method for mixing water for a sanitary plant and for carrying out an anti-legionella disinfection | |
KR20140036590A (en) | Multi-operation mode valve for fluid transportation | |
NL2015440B1 (en) | Satellite for central heating or for teleheating with multifunction presettings. | |
US9657853B2 (en) | Modular and composable device for mixing liquids with electronic control of the temperature and of the flowrate of the outlet flow | |
ITTO990112U1 (en) | DISTRIBUTION MANIFOLD FOR FORCED CIRCULATION SYSTEM | |
KR100591426B1 (en) | Each room control distributor of the boiler | |
EP3376131B1 (en) | Residence station | |
EP2642170A1 (en) | Domestic water flow regulator and hydraulic unit in which it is included | |
RU2343366C1 (en) | Hydraulic control valve component of heating radiator (versions) | |
EA030320B1 (en) | Regulating device for heating systems | |
RU66015U1 (en) | HEATING RADIATOR OF HEATING RADIATOR (OPTIONS) | |
EP0987499A2 (en) | Deviation and by-pass valve |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20200623 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20230508 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230529 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: R.B.M. S.P.A. |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602018058824 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20231229 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20231229 Year of fee payment: 6 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20231229 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20231004 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1618087 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20231004 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231004 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240105 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240204 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231004 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20231004 |