NL2014366B1 - Component of a heating or cooling system. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a component of a heating or cooling system. The component comprises: a hollow space, which is, in use, configured to accommodate a heat transfer liquid, most often under pressure; at least one connector to connect the component in the system; and an additive for the heating or cooling system, which is arranged in the space. The component may be a expansion tank, a radiator, a conduit and/or a heater, or any other component in or of a system. The additive may be pre-arranged, prior to connection of the component in the system, to enable introduction into the system of the additive to enhance frost resistance, combat corrosion and/or leakage and the like.

Description

COMPONENT OF A HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM

The present disclosure relates to a component of a heating or cooling system. In the relevant field of heating an cooling systems, normally a transfer fluid is used to transport heat or cold to or from a generator from or to a heat exchanger in a room of a building to be heated or cooled. Such components have as a common feature that these comprise a hollow space, which is, in use, configured to accommodate a heat transfer liquid, most often under pressure and at least one connector to connect the component in the system.

Prior art systems often require maintenance and liquid supplement for continued reliable operation. Likewise, it may be desirable to add to transfer liquids in such prior art systems an additive. For example, service maintenance companies often add antifreeze to heating or cooling systems, for example to anticipate on periods of time in which the heating or cooling system is inoperative, whilst outside temperatures may lower to below freezing point. Further additives are also known to be potentially desirable, for example to protect against oxidation and/or leakages, to which end such additives may be in the form of anti-oxidant and sealant.

In order to introduce such additives into prior art systems, normally such maintenance and/or service is effected by shutting down the boiler or kettle, and draining the system of the transfer liquid to an extent in order to allow introduction of additives into the system.

In particular the necessity of having to shut down the system and reduce the transfer liquid pressure therein, to enable introduction of additives, has specific disadvantages. For instance, personnel executing the introduction of such additives will be busy for quite a long time to shut down the system, drain the system, add the additive, and again pressurise the system. This is considered to be quite a relevant obstacle for the introduction of sometimes necessary additives.

According to the present disclosure, as a solution to an above-mentioned or any other problem, the component further comprises an additive for the heating or cooling system, which is arranged in the space.

As a consequence of these novel and inventive features, adding additives to the system can be as simple as replacing a component, which does not necessarily have to involve shutting down and draining the system, and having to pressurise the system again after having added the additives. In particular, for instance an expansion vessel is known to be able to be replaced with the system in full operation. Since an expansion vessel needs to be regularly replaced, using the space defined therein as an accommodation for additives is a very simple and elegant solution to introducing such additives into the system. Likewise, with an appropriate configuration of valves, faucets or the like, the same or similar functionality can be achieved using radiators or other types of heat exchangers as an accommodation for the additives, which are desired or necessary to be introduced into the system.

Following the above identification of novel and inventive features according to the present disclosure in generic terms and expressions, corresponding with the appended independent claim, herein below embodiments of the present disclosure will be referred to using more and more specific terms and expressions, corresponding with the appended independent claims. However, more and other embodiments, as well as additions and alternatives maybe practicable, of which some may be defined in the appended dependent claims and others may be described in the below embodiment description referring to the appended drawings.

For example, a component of a heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure may exhibit the feature that the additive is pre-arranged in the space, prior to connection of the element in the system. More in particular, the additive may be arranged in the space of the component at the time of production thereof, and leave a production facility with the additive inserted into the space of the component. Consequently, installation personnel does not need to introduce any additive into the space of the component, just prior to connection thereof in the system. However, it is by no means excluded from the present disclosure that installation personnel would have to introduce any required additive or combination of additives into the space of the component, just prior to connection in the system of the component. For example, specific requirements based on the state of the system may necessitate a selection of particular additives, to be introduced or inserted into the system. For example, if no corrosion has occurred, no additive necessarily needs to be added, but a sealant may be introduced or inserted into the system only there is a leakage. In such an embodiment, a component may further comprise a removable closure, which is at least prior to connection of the component in the system associated with the connector to keep the additive in the space. The removable closure ensures that the additive remains in the space of the component, until such a time as the component is to be connected into the system. At such a time, the removable closure may be removed, and the component maybe connected in the system, after which the additive is released into other parts and components of the system, as a natural consequence of the circulatory flow of the transfer fluid.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the present disclosure, the component may exhibit a feature that the additive is in at least one state from a group at least comprising: a liquid; a condensed or concentrated liquid; a gel; a paste; granular; powder; solid; pill shaped; tablet shaped; and soluble. Most preferably, but not exclusively, maximally condensed or concentrated liquids, gels, pastes, powders and the like are used, in view of the limited space available in each of the components of such a system, and required amounts of additives in view of the volume and numbers of components of the system as a whole. Normally, solutions of for instance antifreeze are not sufficiently condensed or concentrated to allow injection thereof into the system, when only a limited amount thereof can be accommodated inside the interior space of an expansion vessel. To allow sufficient amounts of additives to be introduced, enlargement of interior spaces of components according to the present disclosure can be contemplated, but alternatively and/or additionally concentration or compensation of the additives may prove useful.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the present disclosure, the component may exhibit a feature that the additive comprises at least one substance from a group at least comprising: an anti-freeze; an oxidation inhibitor; a system protector; a solvent for point weld residues in or of radiators; a solvent for oil based corrosion coating in or of radiators; a protective coating against corrosion (potentially to replace a conventional oil based corrosion protective coating); and a sealant. The selection of the aforementioned additives can be made by maintenance personnel, depending on a state of the system as a whole. Additionally and/or alternatively, a predefined selection can already be introduced into a space of the component according to the present disclosure, already at manufacture thereof, in particular if a surplus of additive does not have any detrimental effects on functioning of the system and/or heat transfer properties of the transfer liquid therein. For instance, antifreeze may exhibit quite desirable heat transfer properties in terms of the release of heat or cold at a radiator or more generally at heat exchanger and/or the ability to absorb heat or cold at the generator or a heater or cooler. Additionally, in case of new radiators, it should be noted that these are most often manufactured using point welds to attach articulated front and/or rear plates to one another, to form such radiators. However, such a point welds are known to be responsible for dirt and residues being released from the interior of such radiators, which could pollute other portions of the system, and in particular for instance a filter, faucet or tap in the system may thereby be clogged.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the present disclosure, the component may exhibit a feature of a bellows or diaphragm to define the space as a portion of an interior of the component, in which the additive is arranged. In particular a bellows or diaphragm is pre-tensioned at the time of manufacture, in particular if the component is an expansion vessel. Such a pre-pressurisation of the bellows or diaphragm, for which an internal pressure within such an expansion vessel can be employed, the expansion vessel can function as an injection device for introducing, inserting or injecting the desired additives into the system from the interior space thereof. In particular embodiments, as indicated above, the additive may be gel like, powdery or soluble, and in such cases inserting, introducing or injecting the additive into the system from the interior space of the component may not be effective immediately upon connection of the component into the system, but take some time. Also in known prior art systems, heaters, kettles coolers or other embodiments of heat or cold generators are known to modulate, in the sense that pressure is increased or reduced when temperature rises or is lowered. Pressure changes in known systems can also be caused by different mechanisms. As a consequence, the membrane or diaphragm or bellows in the interior of such a component will adjust in position, size or otherwise to such pressure changes, and the additives in the interior space of the bellows or at a side of the membrane or diaphragm in open contact with the system will be gradually inserted or introduced into the system with such adapting movements of the bellows, membrane or diaphragm.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the present disclosure, the component may exhibit a feature that the component comprises at least one instance from a group at least comprising: an expansion vessel; a heat exchanger, such as a radiator; a conduit, such as copper or plastic tubing; a heat or cold generator, such as a heater of a central heating; a system liquid pump; a filter; a degassing device. It should be evident from the preceding indication of the object of the present disclosure already, that additives can be prearranged in the interior space of any arbitrary component of a heating or cooling system.

The present invention also relates to a heating or cooling system as a whole, comprising a heat or cold generator, at least one heat exchanger at a distance from the generator, and a conduit system extending at least between the generator and the heat exchanger, wherein at least one component from a group comprising the generator, the heat exchanger, the conduit system and an expansion vessel comprises a hollow element according defining a space in open communication with the system, in which a space and additive or a selection of additives maybe arranged or prearranged to allow such additives to be dispersed into the system as a whole, and for the benefit of any one or more than one of the components of such a system.

Following the above indications of aspects and/or embodiments of the present disclosure in, essentially, relatively generic terms and expressions, corresponding with the appended claims, below non-limiting exemplary embodiments will be described under reference to the appended drawing, of which no aspect, feature, consideration or functionality is to be interpreted as limiting on the scope of protection for the present disclosure. Further, in the embodiment description and the exemplary embodiments depicted in the appended drawing, the same or similar reference signs or numbers can be employed for the same or similar features, elements, aspects, components functionalities. In the drawing: figure 1 shows an exemplary schematic view of the system according to the present disclosure; figure 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an expansion vessel according to the present disclosure; figure 3 shows the expansion vessel of figure 2 in a disconnected state; figure 4 shows an example of a double acting coupling for connection and/or disconnection of an expansion vessel like the one in figures 2, 3 and/or in figure 8; figure 5 shows a degassing device in a particular embodiment according to the present disclosure; figure 6 shows a radiator as an embodiment according of a component according to the present disclosure; figure 7 exhibits a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows V in figure 4; and figure 8 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of an alternative expansion vessel relative to the embodiment of figure 2.

In figure 1, a central heating system 1 is shown, as an embodiment of a heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure. Heating system 1 comprises a heater 2, conduits 3 formed by pipes or tubes or the like to interconnect heater 2 with other components of heating system 1, an expansion vessel 4, like the ones shown in figures 2 and 6, a degassing device 5, radiators 6, and filter 7. The additional components can be added. Some of the shown components could be omitted or integrated into other components. For example, a degassing function can be incorporated into an expansion vessel 4. Instead of a central heating system, teachings of the present disclosure could be applied to a cooling system. This is all noted to emphasise, that the system 1 is merely exemplary of a heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure as an embodiment thereof.

Additives can be introduced into spaces of anyone of the mentioned components of heating system 1, including any one or more than one of heater 2, conduits 3, expansion vessel 4, degassing device 5, radiators 6, and filter 7.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a new expansion vessel 4. Expansion vessel 4 comprises a two part outer shell 8, and a connector 9, through which expansion vessel 4 may be connected in or to system 1 or any other heating or cooling system. Two part outer shell 8 is designed to clamp a membrane or diaphragm 10 between parts of the two part outer shell 8. On top of membrane or diaphragm 10 inside the interior of two part outer shell 8, additives 11 and 12 are provided. Two types of additives 11, 12 are shown: pill or tablet shaped additives 11 and paste shaped additive 12. Other types, shapes or forms of additives are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that the expansion vessel 4 is shown in figure 2 in a state wherein the membrane or diaphragm 10 is in a centre position and a system pressure of for example 1,6 bar is exerted through connector 9, to counter a pre-arranged expansion vessel pressure of for example 1,7 bar in a space opposite the connector 9 relative to the membrane or diaphragm 10. This will practically straighten the orientation of the membrane of diaphragm as shown in figure 2. In a state in which the expansion vessel 4 is separate from the system, the membrane or diaphragm 10 will bulge as shown in figure 3 as a consequence of only the pre-arranged expansion vessel pressure of for example 1,7 bar in the space opposite the connector 9 relative to the membrane of diaphragm 10, since at the connector 9 side no countering system pressure is present.

Connector 9 is in the separate state of figure 3 closed with a lid or cap 13 after manufacture of expansion vessel 4. Thereby, the additives 11, 12 or more securely held within the interior space of expansion vessel 4, for example during transport from a production facility via intermediate merchants, stores and the like to an ultimate destination, where expansion vessel 4 is to be incorporated into heating system 1 or any alternative heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure.

To connect expansion vessel 4 (or the expansion vessel 29 of figure 8, described below), a double acting coupling 37 may be provided which is a generic representation of such a coupling enabling connection and disconnection of expansion vessel 4 (or 29) an in particular enabling disconnection of vessel 4 (or 29) with transfer liquid under pressure therein and closed off. The coupling 37 comprises first coup-ling part 38, second coupling part 39, closing O-ring 40, pressure spring 41, and further O-ring 42. When the coupling parts 38, 39 are separated, individual valves in each of the coupling parts 38, 39 ensure that the system 1 is closed and also the vessel 4, 29 is closed.

Figure 5 schematically exhibits an exemplary embodiment of a degassing device 5, comprising connectors 14 for connection of degassing device 5 in system 1 or an alternative therefore. Degassing device 5 further comprises a tank 15 defining an interior space 16 and a vent 17, which may for instance be or comprise a Hotter vent 17 to release freed gas from a transfer liquid in heating system 1. Namely, when such transfer liquid is tapped from system 1 and introduced into tank 15, and associated pressure drop in the transfer liquid will result in freeing of gases from the transfer liquid. These gases can be discharged through vent 17. Pump 18 may be employed to reintroduce transfer fluid from interior space 16 of tank 15 into heating system 1 or any alternative heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure. Such a degassing device 5 will normally be connected in system 1 via valves or the like, to ensure that the interior space 16 of tank 15 is at or near atmospheric pressure to enable the above referenced pressure drop and allow degassing of the transfer fluid. However, such shells are not depicted here, since the present disclosure is directed at the object of additives inside the interior spaces of components of a heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure. In the present instance of figure 5, such an interior space 16 of tank 15 may be usefully employed to accommodate additives 19 like soluble or solid granulate, powder or the like, to be gradually freed into heating system 1 or any alternative heating or cooling system according to the present disclosure, from the interior space 16 of tank 15. In particular, such a degassing device 5 can be very beneficially employed, like expansion vessel 4, as a means of inserting, injecting or introducing additives 19. Since such interior space 16 of tank 15 of degassing device 5 will normally be held at atmospheric pressure, introducing additional additives into the interior space 16 thereof will be quite easy. Alternatively, just like expansion vessel 4, replacement of degassing device 5 may be very easily performed due to the presence of the valves (not shown) referred to above. With both valves for both connectors 14 in a closed position, degassing device 5 may be easily replaced. A replacement degassing device may contain a fresh amount of additives, which may be selected or tailored to any need of a particular system, in which degassing device 5 is to be accommodated.

Figures 6 and 7 show a radiator 20 in a partially exploded view and a cross-sectional view along line V-V in figure 6, respectively. Radiator 20 comprises connectors 21 and at least one faucet or adjusting knob 22, to allow a user to control the amount of transfer fluid per unit of time, to enter into radiator 20. As shown in figure 7, radiator 20 has comprises a front plate 23 and a rear plate 24. Plates 23, 24 are articulated to define indentations 25 to increase a heat exchange surface of radiator 20. On the interior of plates 23, 24, a lining of additive 26 is provided. The additive can have a function to solve, brake down or otherwise remove residue, debris or dirt, resulting or originating from point welds 27, which are employed to interconnect front plate 23 and rear plate 24. Additives from linings 26 may be released into transfer fluid, when present in interior space 28 of radiator 20. Such release may be achieved by solving the additives 26 into the transfer liquid, when present in space 28. Any alternative mechanism for release of the additives may also be employed.

Further it is acknowledged that prior art radiators are often provided, on an interior surface thereof, with an oil based protective layer to reduce corrosion on or of the inner surface. Oil based protective layers reduce corrosion by shielding the materiel of the radiators from contact with air and oxygen or gas in and freed from transfer liquid, based on a fatty or oily coating layer, which is hard to remove, after the radiator is connected in or with the system. The additive may therefore constitute or comprise a solvent for such an oil based corrosion coating in or of radiators. Furthermore, the additive may itself be a protective coating against corrosion, which could potentially serve to replace a conventional oil based corrosion protective coating. The additive coating will preferably be far easily removed than oil based or fatty prior art coating layers, for example as a consequence of a flow of transfer fluid through radiators.

Figure 8 shows an alternative example of an expansion vessel 29, relative to the expansion vessel 4 in figures 2, 3. Expansion vessel 29 is based on a slightly different principle in the sense that a bellows 30 is arranged in an interior space 32 of the container 31, in stead of membrane of diaphragm 10. Expansion vessel 29 shown in figure 8 is new, which is to say that it has just been manufactured. Pills or tablets 33 of additive are arranged in bellows 30. Expansion vessel 29 further comprises a cap or connection 34 enabling connection into a heating or cooling system. Cap or connection 34 should comprise a passage, generally indicated with reference number 35, to allow heat transfer liquid to be inserted into bellows 30 and/or back into a heating or cooling system, which is not indicated in figure 8. When heat transfer liquid from such a heating or cooling system is introduced into bellows 30 through passage 35, the bellows will expand to an enlarged shape 36 indicated with dashed lines, to fill more of the interior space 32 of the container 31. Consequently, bellows 30 will then contain more transfer fluid than in an unexpanded state of bellows 30, which is indicated with solid lines. In use, fluctuation between the underinflated and inflated states of bellows 30 will cause fresh amounts of transfer fluid to be inserted into bellows 30 and expelled again, like a breathing movement, to secure that additives 33 are more fully solved, or at least more efficiently expelled from bellows into heating or cooling system, after connection of the expansion vessel 29 into said heating or cooling system. Consequently, a new expansion vessel 29 with inserted additives, arranged in the interior of the space defined by bellows 30 at the time of manufacture of the expansion vessel, can be connected to the heating or cooling system, where after the expansion and compression cycles of the bellows may ensure that all of the additive from the interior of the bellows 30 will be inserted into the heating or cooling system.

After the foregoing description of embodiments, alternatives and additional features, elements, functions and the like, it should be immediately evident to the skilled person that many additional and alternative embodiments are possible and lie within the scope of protection according to the present disclosure, to include even equivalents and alternatives for specifically defined features of the appended independent claims. In fact, in summary, any component of a heating or cooling system that comprises some type of internal space can be provided with additives. More preferably, not just any type of component is provided with additives, but at least easily exchangeable components and elements of the heating or cooling system can be very usefully provided with additives, which may relate to practically any purpose, like sealing small leaks, solving or otherwise removing dirt, residues and the like resulting from point welds of radiators, injecting antifreeze into the transfer liquid, et cetera.

Claims (8)

A component of a heating or cooling system, comprising: - a cavity, which, in use, is configured to accommodate a heat transfer fluid, usually under pressure; - at least one connector to connect the component in the system; and - an additive for the heating or cooling system, which is arranged in the space. A component of a heating or cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the additive is arranged in advance in the space prior to connection of the component in the system. A component of a heating or cooling system according to claim 2, further comprising a removable closure, which at least prior to a connection of the component in the system is associated with the connector to hold the additive in the space. A component of a heating or cooling system according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is in at least one state from a group comprising at least: a liquid; a condensed or concentrated liquid; a gel; a paste; a granulate; powder; solid; pill-shaped; tablet shaped; and soluble. A component of a heating or cooling system according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the additive comprises at least one substance from a group which comprises at least: antifreeze; an oxidation inhibitor; a system protection; a solvent for spot welding residues in or from radiators; a solvent for oil-based corrosion coating in or from radiators; a protective coating against corrosion (potentially replacing a conventional oil-based corrosion protective coating); and a sealant. A component of a heating or cooling system according to any one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a bellows or diaphragm to define the space as a part of an interior of the component in which the additive is arranged. A component of a heating or cooling system according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the component comprises at least one element from a group comprising at least: an expansion vessel; a heat exchanger, such as a radiator; a pipe, such as a copper or plastic pipe; a generator for heat and / or cold, such as a central heating boiler; a fluid pump of the system; a filter; a degassing device. A heating or cooling system comprising a heat or cold generator, at least one heat exchanger at a distance from the generator, and a pipe system extending at least between the generator and the heat exchanger, wherein at least one component from a group comprising the generator, the heat exchanger, the pipe system and an expansion vessel comprise a hollow element according to one or more of the preceding claims.