WO2015092105A1

WO2015092105A1 - Store for storing pressurised fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2015092105A1
Application number: PCT/ES2014/070933
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Joaquin ASENCIO SANCHEZ
Original assignee: Asencio Sanchez Antonio Joaquin
Priority date: 2013-12-18
Filing date: 2014-12-18
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: ES1098105U; ES1098105Y

Abstract

The invention relates to a store (1) for storing pressurised fluid, used in stationary and mobile facilities such as travelling businesses requiring fluid or water pressure. Said store is pressurised by a gas, and comprises: a first opening (3) designed to extract a fluid housed in the store (1); a deformable bag (4) housed in the store (1), where said deformable bag (4) is coupled to the first opening (3) designed to extract the fluid housed in said deformable bag (4) by means of the pressurised gas housed in the store (1), in such a way that the pressurised fluid and the pressurised gas are physically separated by the deformable bag (4); and at least one valve designed to regulate the outflow of fluid from the deformable bag (4).

Description

PRESSURE FLUID STORAGE DEPOSIT

DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage tank for pressurized fluid, such as liquids for food use or industrial uses such as diesel, gasoline, etc .; which can be used in fixed installations such as sanitary water installations in homes; or in mobile facilities such as mobile businesses where water or fluid pressure services are required, for example to feed water heaters in motor homes or campsites; commercial vehicles such as cars, street vendors selling products that require pressurized fluid for cleaning and / or consumer sales, etc. Encompassing said invention in the field of sanitary facilities for housing, transport, services or industrial character.

The purpose of this storage tank object of the invention is to obtain a reserve reservoir for pressurized fluid, generally water; so that in case of need of pumping that fluid, the reservoir is able to extract the fluid in a fast and efficient way, without causing delays in the supply, with sufficient pressure to perform the service of supply of the fluid in function of the storage capacity of said reservoir object of the invention, and without the need to use an energy source for the extraction of said fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of introduction, it is known that in the housing facilities, whether of sanitary water or of another fluid in particular, it is necessary to have a pumping equipment capable of supplying the water, or corresponding fluid, to the corresponding shunts.

This pumping equipment works according to the demand of water by users, there are peak demand times, and times where demand is interrupts in limited periods of time; so that these stops and starts of the pumping equipment are highly detrimental to their work, since they involve an expense of electrical energy in terms of being able to restart the pumping equipment, and can cause deterioration of the impeller, blades, pistons, etc. Of the pumps themselves, depending on the type of pump used in each case.

Additionally, such tanks usually have insulators that guarantee a specific water storage temperature, with solutions ranging from insulating layers themselves, or alternative solutions such as, for example, can be seen in the heat heater tank described in the US patent publication number US-5522523; in which a water heater is described which has a rigid container and a flexible and deformable bag inside said container, and configured to be filled by hot water, the filling and deformation of said bag reaches maximum dimensions smaller than the rigid container ; creating an intermediate air layer that behaves like an insulating layer.

With respect to the demand for a given fluid pressure, it is known to use pressurized fluid accumulators, generally of water, which are tanks placed at a high height, so that through a pumping equipment, fluid storage inside the reservoir; and when supply of the fluid to the corresponding shunts is required, such as bathroom faucets, etc. The opening is produced by the base of the tank and thanks to the piezometric height of the fluid with respect to the outlet branch, the extraction of the pressurized fluid is achieved by said branch.

But these types of accumulators have limited fluid outlet pressure based on the difference in heights existing between the fluid outlet branch of the accumulator tank, and the outlet branch of the corresponding branch; It may not be enough depending on the use to be given. That is why its use is restricted to domestic applications and to allow the storage tank to be located at a great height with respect to the fluid outlet leads. That is why, in view of the limitations in the use of accumulator tanks in homes or industrial sector, whose main purpose is to guarantee the useful life of the pumping device, as well as to be able to supply fluid at a suitable pressure for its use through the respective shunts at a suitable temperature; it is necessary the appearance of a new storage tank of pressurized fluid capable of solving the need to locate the tank at high altitude; as well as guaranteeing an adequate supply pressure to the needs required by the installation in an efficient and simple way for its implementation; and especially without needing an energy source for water extraction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pressurized fluid storage tank, which is pressurized with a gas, comprising:

- A first hole configured to extract a fluid lodged inside the tank;

- a deformable bag housed inside the tank, where said deformable bag is coupled to the first hole configured to extract the fluid housed in said deformable bag thanks to the pressurized gas housed inside the tank; so that the pressurized fluid and the pressurized gas are physically separated by the deformable bag; Y

- at least one valve linked to said first hole, and configured to regulate the fluid outlet from inside the deformable bag.

In this way, the storage tank is pressurized at all times thanks to the gas housed inside, where the maintenance of said gas is technically null because the size and storage capacity of the fluid is of a smaller range than the pressurized tanks that can currently be used; so that the introduction of said gas, preferably air, is carried out in the production phase of the tank object of the invention, and is not subsequently manipulated by the user. Where the maintenance of the gas housed inside is carried out by the qualified company preferentially. One of the great advantages is the need to use a source of energy to proceed to discharge the fluid through the first hole, since the reservoir is pressurized thanks to the gas inside, and it is said, at least one The valve is responsible for opening or closing the fluid outlet at a predefined pressure. This allows the tank object of the invention to be used in applications such as:

- Conventional vehicles of all types, such as industrial ones.

Street sales businesses that require pressurized water to guarantee the health standards of the products to be sold.

- Garages or houses and industries that, due to cuts in the supply network may have a water reserve that guarantees the service.

- And in general, capable of being used in fixed or mobile facilities such as mobile businesses where water or fluid pressure services are required.

In that sense, when a branch or the user demands fluid from the installation, the fluid lodged in the deformable bag is extracted thanks to said at least one valve of the tank object of the invention, so that it is responsible for guarantee the correct fluid outflow both in volume and in pressure through the first hole, where said pressure is directly linked to the pressure of the gas introduced into the tank, as well as the overpressure obtained globally throughout the entire storage tank assembly. itself.

It should be noted that the chamber created between the deformable bag and the reservoir, which is pressurized, also serves as an insulating chamber in a manner similar to that described in US Patent Publication No. US-5522523; with the essential difference that the chamber is pressurized to achieve a different technical effect and linked to the liquid supply at a predefined pressure.

Also, and in relation to how to introduce the fluid into the tank, they contemplate two options: a) In the first of them, the reservoir object of the invention comprises a second orifice configured to introduce the pressurized fluid into said deformable bag, where said at least one valve is responsible for regulating the passage of fluid into the tank or outside the tank. Thus having two holes commanded by said, at least one, valve, and which allows the entry and exit of fluid through two independent branches. It should be noted that the second hole communicates the fluid inlet with the inside of the deformable bag, so that the operation and advantages of the tank object of the invention can be carried out correctly. b) In the second one, it is the first orifice that is also configured to introduce the pressurized fluid into said deformable bag, where said at least one valve is responsible for regulating the passage of fluid into the interior. of the deposit or to the outside of said deposit.

In both alternatives it is observed that the pressurized fluid, generally water, is introduced through one of the holes; so that when the deformable bag is connected to said hole, it increases its volume depending on the amount of fluid introduced. And thanks to the existence of gas under pressure inside the tank, the deformable bag, which comprises inside the fluid introduced through the second hole in option a), and the first hole in option b); Increase its volume to a pressure that is normally predefined and calculated based on the deformation limit of both the deformable bag and the walls of the fluid storage tank. This introduction of fluid can be carried out in multiple ways, for example through a conventional irrigation hose, or by similar devices; since the overpressure will be predefined by the deformation of the deformable bag and the gas introduced into the tank object of the invention. So the storage tank is fully pressurized and ready to discharge the fluid when the installation requires it. In relation to the introduction of the gas into the tank, the preferred option is highlighted where the pressurized fluid storage tank comprises a third hole configured to introduce the gas into the tank; remembering that this introduction is carried out, preferably, during commissioning, and it is not necessary to introduce gas under pressure later.

Based on ensuring the correct operation of the storage tank object of the invention, it is contemplated that the third pressure inlet port has a non-return valve configured to prevent leakage of the introduced gas and maintain the pressure inside the tank ; different types of non-return valves can be used, such as membranes, magnetic valves, etc.

According to the fact that the first orifice can have the dual function of fluid inlet and outlet, a preferred embodiment of application is described where said second orifice, of fluid inlet and outlet, is coupled to a first pipe that allows the entry and fluid outlet; so that the first pipe is coupled to a branch of a T-connection, additionally allowing the union of a second and a third pipe in the remaining branches of the T-connection; where the second pipe is configured to introduce the fluid into the first pipe; and the third pipe is configured to extract the fluid from the first pipe. And thus, it is the T-connection that allows, alternatively, the passage of fluid from or to the storage tank object of the invention. The preferred option of pressurizing the inlet fluid to the tank is contemplated, where a pump is coupled to the second pipe, and is responsible for pressurizing the fluid until the deformable bag is filled. So that when the extraction of fluid to a specific branch is required, and the pump is stopped due to anticipated or accidental causes, it is the tank itself and its novel configuration that is responsible for supplying the pressurized fluid regardless of the operation of the pump, therefore improving its useful life compared to other systems belonging to the state of the art.

In order to improve the operation of the entire system, the existence is contemplated of a check valve, which is coupled between the T-connection and the second pipe, preventing the return of pressurized fluid to the pump.

And finally, and in a preferred embodiment of the storage tank object of the invention, the option is contemplated that the third pipe has a pressure reducing element configured to prevent overpressure in the pressurized fluid when it is removed by the second hole of the deformable bag

Thus, according to the described invention, the pressure fluid storage tank object of the invention constitutes an important novelty in fluid storage systems capable of supplying that same fluid at a given pressure and with exceptional supply guarantees, and all with a simple configuration device, perfectly flexible to be able to be installed in any type of installation, as well as being able to be used outdoors for locations where a small tank is required capable of being transported with relative ease, such as campsites , caravans or portable sanitary elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made, and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a series of drawings are attached as an integral part of said description. where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a two-dimensional schematic view of the pressure fluid storage tank object of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of Figure 1, it can be seen how the reservoir (1) for storing fluid under pressure, focused on the storage of liquids for food use or industrial uses such as diesel, gasoline, etc., has the following elements: A third orifice (2) of pressurized air inlet into the tank (1), which has a non-return valve (5) configured to prevent leakage of the introduced air and maintain the pressure inside the tank (1) in a constant value

A first orifice (3) for both the entrance of a pressurized fluid into the tank (1), and the outlet of the fluid from the tank (1); so that said first hole (3) is coupled to a first pipe (6a) that allows the entry and exit of the fluid; so that the first pipe is coupled to a branch of a T-connection (6), additionally allowing the union of a second (6b) and a third pipe (6c) in the remaining branches of the T-connection (6 ); where the second pipe (6b) is configured to introduce the fluid into the first pipe (6a); and the third pipe (6c) is configured to extract the fluid from the first pipe (6a).

A deformable bag (4) housed inside the tank (1), wherein said deformable bag (4) is coupled to the first hole (3) configured both to introduce the pressurized fluid into said deformable bag (4), as for extracting the fluid housed in said deformable bag (4) thanks to the pressurized air housed inside the tank (1); where the pressurized fluid and the pressurized air are physically separated by the deformable bag (4).

A pump (7) that is coupled to the second pipe (6b), and is responsible for pressurizing the fluid to fill the deformable bag (4).

A check valve (8) that is coupled between the T-connection (6) and the second pipe (6b), preventing the return of pressurized fluid to the pump (7).

A pressure reducing element (9) coupled to the third pipe (6c), and configured to prevent overpressure in the pressurized fluid when it is removed by the first hole (3) of the deformable bag (4).

Thus, the procedure for storing the fluid a is described. pressure, which includes the following random stages, which do not follow a specific order and can be repeated cyclically at the will of the user:

a) introduce fluid into the deformable bag (4); and

b) introduce gas into the tank (1) outside the deformable bag; in this way, the fluid is pressurized by the action of the gas introduced into the tank (1).

In view of this description and figure, the person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the invention that have been described can be combined in multiple ways within the scope of the invention. The invention has been described according to some preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments without exceeding the object of the claimed invention.

Claims

1.- Tank (1) for storing pressurized fluid, which is pressurized with a gas, and comprises a first hole (3) configured to extract a fluid lodged inside the tank (1); wherein said deposit (1) is characterized in that it further comprises:

- a deformable bag (4) housed inside the tank (1), where said deformable bag (4) is coupled to the first hole (3) configured to extract the fluid housed in said deformable bag (4) thanks to the gas under pressure housed inside the tank (1); so that the pressurized fluid and the pressurized gas are physically separated by the deformable bag (4); Y

- at least one valve configured to regulate the fluid outlet from inside the deformable bag (4).

2. Tank (1) for storage of pressurized fluid, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second orifice configured to introduce the pressurized fluid into said deformable bag (4), wherein said at least one The valve is responsible for regulating the flow of fluid into the tank (1) or out of the tank (1)

3. Tank (1) for storage of pressurized fluid according to claim 1, characterized in that the first hole (3) is also configured to introduce the pressurized fluid into said deformable bag (4), wherein said At least one valve is responsible for regulating the passage of fluid into the tank (1) or outside the tank (1)

4. - Tank (1) for storing fluid under pressure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third hole (2) configured to introduce the gas into the tank (1).

5. - Tank (1) for storing fluid under pressure, according to claim 4, characterized in that the third orifice (2) comprises a non-return valve (5) configured to prevent leaks of the introduced gas and maintain the pressure inside the deposit (1).

6. Tank (1) for storing fluid under pressure, according to claim 3 and any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first orifice (3), for fluid inlet and outlet, is coupled to a first pipe ( 6a) that allows the entry and exit of the fluid; so that the first pipe is coupled to a branch of a T-connection (6), additionally allowing the union of a second (6b) and a third pipe (6c) in the remaining branches of the T-connection (6 ); where the second pipe (6b) is configured to introduce the fluid into the first pipe (6a); and the third pipe (6c) is configured to extract the fluid from the first pipe (6a).

7. - Storage tank (1) for storing fluid under pressure, according to claim 6, characterized in that a pump (7) is coupled to the second pipe (6b), and is responsible for pressurizing the fluid until the deformable bag is filled (4).

8. - Pressurized fluid storage tank (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a check valve (8) is coupled between the T-connection (6) and the second pipe (6b), avoiding the return of pressurized fluid to the pump (7).

9. - Tank (1) for storing fluid under pressure, according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the third pipe (6c) has a pressure reducing element (9) configured to avoid overpressure in the fluid a pressure when it is removed by the first hole (3) of the deformable bag (4).

10. Procedure for storing a pressurized fluid according to the reservoir (1) defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following random stages:

a) introduce fluid into the deformable bag (4); and

b) introduce gas into the tank (1) outside the deformable bag (4).