WO2023152100A1

WO2023152100A1 - Distributor for a fluid medium

Info

Publication number: WO2023152100A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/052905
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ben Schaefer; Felix Konstantin DRECHSEL
Original assignee: Revincus GmbH
Priority date: 2022-02-11
Filing date: 2023-02-07
Publication date: 2023-08-17
Also published as: DE102022201429A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a distributor (1) for a fluid medium, having a main part (2) which is designed as a hollow body, at least one media inlet (3), and at least two media outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') which are distributed along a lateral surface of the main part (2) and each of which is provided with a flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') for closing purposes, wherein the main part (2) is equipped with a distributor mechanism (6) which is configured so as to selectively discharge the medium through at least one of the media outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') or through a pair or a group of media outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') located at the same longitudinal position or similar longitudinal positions of the main part (2). The distributor mechanism (6) has at least one spindle (7, 8) which is connected to at least one drive (9, 10) such that the spindle (7, 8) can be rotated relative to the main part (2), and the distributor mechanism (6) additionally has at least one spindle nut (11, 12) which is in engagement with a thread of the spindle (7, 8). The spindle nut (11, 12) is configured so as to open the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') or compensate for a force acting in the closing direction of the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') upon reaching the longitudinal position thereof.

Description

Distributor for a fluid medium

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a distributor for a fluid medium.

In buildings and industrial plants, large amounts of polluted waste water accumulate at more or less high temperatures. The heat contained therein usually remains unused in the building.

WO 2020/148230 A1 discloses a device and a method for heat recovery from a liquid medium, comprising:

- a heat exchanger with at least two thermally separated heat exchanger cells for receiving the liquid medium, each of the heat exchanger cells having a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of the liquid medium located therein,

- at least one pipeline for carrying drinking water and/or heating water, which runs through at least one of the heat exchanger cells,

- a supply line in which the liquid medium is guided,

- a number of controllable flaps, by means of which the liquid medium can be selectively supplied to the heat exchanger cells from the supply line,

- at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the liquid medium in the feed line, the flaps being controllable and/or adjustable in such a way that the liquid medium from the feed line is fed to that heat exchanger cell whose current temperature is the least colder than that of the gray water in the supply line.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a novel solution for distributing the liquid medium. The object is achieved according to the invention by a distributor with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A distributor for a fluid medium according to the invention has a main body designed as a hollow body and at least one media inlet for feeding the medium into the main body, with at least two media outlets being distributed along a lateral surface of the main body and each provided with a flap with which the respective media outlet can be closed, with a distributor mechanism being arranged in the main body, which is arranged for selectively diverting the medium through at least one of the media outlets or through a pair or a group of media outlets located at the same or a similar longitudinal position of the main body, but preferably not through all of the media outlets at the same time , is configured, wherein the distributor mechanism comprises at least one spindle connected to at least one driver such that the spindle is rotatable relative to the main body, the distributor mechanism further comprising at least one spindle nut which is in engagement with a thread of the spindle, wherein the spindle nut is configured to open the flaps or to compensate for a force acting in the closing direction of the flaps when their longitudinal position is reached. Such a distribution mechanism can be implemented in a particularly simple and robust manner.

In one embodiment, the manifold mechanism is further configured to closable all media outlets simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the spindle nut includes or is connected to at least one cam or plunger, the cam or plunger being configured to open the door. In one embodiment, the flapper includes a magnet and the spindle nut includes at least one magnet oriented or orientable to repel the magnet of the flapper.

In one embodiment, the flap has a magnet that pulls the flap to close towards at least one ferromagnetic element that is arranged on or connected to the main body, wherein the spindle nut has at least one magnet that is oriented or orientable so that it Compensated for the force of the flap magnet.

In one embodiment, the magnet of the spindle nut is designed as a permanent magnet or as an electromagnet.

In one embodiment, the distribution mechanism includes:

- a first spindle and a second spindle with respective threads, each connected to a drive,

- a first spindle nut which is in engagement with the thread of the first spindle,

- a second spindle nut, which is in engagement with the thread of the second spindle, the spindle nuts being coupled to one another in such a way that the two spindle nuts cannot be rotated relative to one another and a limited stroke of the second spindle nut relative to the first spindle nut in the longitudinal direction is possible, wherein at least one lever is rotatably articulated on the second spindle nut, on which in turn a ram guided movably in a radial direction is articulated such that a lifting movement of the second spindle nut relative to the first spindle nut causes a radial movement of the ram.

In one embodiment, the spindle nuts are guided in a guide tube, secured against twisting, with a plurality of openings, aligned with the flaps, being provided in the guide tube for the passage of the at least one tappet. In one embodiment, the flaps are biased toward their closed position by respective springs and/or by gravity and/or by a respective magnet.

In one embodiment, a rotatable shaft is arranged parallel to the spindle and is also connected to a drive, with a crossbar protruding radially from the shaft in at least one direction and being rotatable together with it, the crossbar also being connected to the spindle nut in this way that both can only be moved together in the longitudinal direction, but a limited rotation of the crossbar with the shaft is possible, with the crossbar and the spindle nut and the shaft and the spindle being arranged in a guide tube which is arranged in the main body, for example concentrically and secured against twisting is secured in the main body, with a coupling ring being arranged on the outside of the guide tube so that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, with the crossbar being magnetically coupled to the coupling ring through the wall of the guide tube in such a way that the coupling ring and the crossbar can be both longitudinally displaced and rotated together in the main body can, wherein the coupling ring has on its outside one or more cams for actuating the flaps depending on a rotational position of the crossbar.

In one embodiment, the main body is formed as a tube.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for heat recovery from a liquid medium is specified, comprising a heat exchanger which comprises a plurality of thermally stratified heat zones in a tank, the heat exchanger being traversed by at least one pipeline in which a medium to be heated can be guided, wherein a distributor for the liquid medium, in particular as described above, is arranged next to and/or in the tank and media outlets of the distributor are arranged for the outlet of the medium into the different thermal zones of the tank. In one embodiment, a temperature sensor is provided for determining a temperature of the liquid medium in the distributor, with each of the heating zones in the tank being equipped with a respective temperature sensor, with a control part being provided which is configured to compare the temperature of the medium occurring in the distributor with the Comparing temperatures in the various heat zones and controlling the distributor in such a way that the medium is fed to those heat zones whose current temperature is the least colder than that of the medium in the distributor.

The distributor or device described above can be used in particular with gray water as the liquid medium.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show in it:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a distributor for a fluid medium in a tank,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of the distributor,

FIG. 3 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor,

FIG. 4 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor,

FIG. 5 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a distributor for a fluid medium in a tank,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 6, FIG. 9 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 6,

FIG. 10 shows a further schematic view of the distributor from FIG. 6,

FIG. 11 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 6,

FIG. 12 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 6,

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a distributor for a fluid medium in a tank,

FIG. 14 shows a schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 13,

FIG. 16 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from FIG. 13,

FIG. 17 shows a further schematic view of the distributor from FIG. 13,

Figure 18 shows a further schematic detailed view of the distributor from Figure 13.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show schematic views of an exemplary embodiment of a distributor 1 for a fluid medium, for example a gas or a liquid, in particular waste water or gray water, in an exemplary position of use. Insofar as the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" are used in the following, this refers to this position of use of distributor 1. The distributor 1 has a main body 2 designed as a hollow body and at least one media inlet 3 which is arranged, for example, on a lateral surface of the main body 2 and is intended for feeding the medium into the main body 2 . Furthermore, at least two media outputs 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n,

4. L, 4.2' to 4.n' provided on the main body 2, for example on a lateral surface of the main body 2. The main body 2 is formed as a tube, in particular a cylindrical tube, and is suitable and intended for this purpose, arranged in a tank 23 to become. The tank 23 can be part of a device 21 for heating drinking water and optionally a hot water heater, in particular a low-temperature heater, through the use of gray water in a heat exchanger 22 which comprises a number of thermally stratified heating zones, in particular a number of layers in the tank 23. In the position of use, the main body 2 can in particular be arranged vertically or essentially vertically in the tank 23; however, this is not mandatory. The media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are distributed over the length of the main body 2 so that the fluid medium can be discharged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 and thus different heat zones in the tank 23 can be supplied. Instead of a single media output 4.1, 4.1', 4.2, 4.2', 4.n to 4.n', two or more media outputs 4.1, 4.1', 4.2, 4.2', 4.n to 4.n' can be used as a pair or Group at the same height, that is longitudinal position, be arranged on different sides of the main body 2.

Each of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' is provided with a flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n', with which the respective media outlet 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' can be closed. The flaps 5.1, 5.2 to

5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' may be configured to open outwards.

Also provided in the main body 2 is a distribution mechanism 6 which is used to open one of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' or a pair or a group of media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1′, 4.2′ to 4.n′ is configured to convey the medium located in the main body 2 through this media outlet 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n', or this pair or group, while the other media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are closed, so that at no time more than one of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n', more than one of the pairs or more than one of the groups is open. The distributor mechanism 6 can be configured in such a way that it is additionally possible to close all media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' at the same time.

In one embodiment, the distributor mechanism 6 can have two vertically aligned and side-by-side spindles 7, 8, namely a first spindle 7 and a second spindle 8, with respective threads, which are each connected to a drive 9, 10, for example an electric motor. so that the spindles 7, 8 in the main body 2 can be rotated. The drive 9, 10 can be located at the top of the respective spindle 7, 8 and can be arranged inside or outside the main body 2.

The distributor mechanism 6 can also have a first spindle nut 11 which is in engagement with the thread of the first spindle 7 . Furthermore, the distributor mechanism 6 can have a second spindle nut 12 which is in engagement with the thread of the second spindle 8 . The spindle nuts 11, 12 are also coupled to one another in such a way that the two spindle nuts 11, 12 cannot be rotated relative to one another and are closely related in terms of their longitudinal position. Only a small stroke of the second spindle nut 12 relative to the first spindle nut 11 is possible within these limits.

Both spindle nuts 11, 12 can be held together in a frame 13, which is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the main body 2 and/or in a guide tube 17 that is arranged coaxially in the main body 2 and is secured against twisting, in particular in such a way that the frame 13 is secured against twisting in the Main body 2 and/or guide tube 17 is secured, for example by means of a longitudinal guide 14. Furthermore, one or more levers 15 can be rotatably articulated on the second spindle nut 12, on each of which a ram 16 guided movably in a radial direction in the frame 13 or relative to the frame 13 is articulated in such a way that a lifting movement of the second spindle nut 12 relative to the Frame 13 and / or relative to the first spindle nut 11 causes a radial movement of the plunger 16. In this case, openings 18 can be provided in the guide tube 17 corresponding to the number of flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n', which in their longitudinal position and angular position on the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' are aligned. The openings 18 can be in the form of elongated holes, the longitudinal extent of which is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 . The plungers 16 are aligned in their angular position so that they actuate a flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1 ', 5.2' to 5.n 'with a radial movement outwards through the openings 18, that is open, on the they are momentarily aligned with respect to their longitudinal position. The flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be moved in the direction of be biased to their closed position.

For opening a flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' or a pair or a group of flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' on a When the main body 2 is in a specific longitudinal position, both spindles 7, 8 are rotated synchronously when the plungers 16 are retracted, in order to simultaneously bring both spindle nuts 11, 12 into a longitudinal position in which the longitudinal position of the plunger or plungers 16 is/are respectively set to a desired flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n'. As soon as the spindle nuts 11, 12 have reached this longitudinal position, the synchronous rotation of the spindles 7, 8 is terminated and only one of the spindles 7, 8, for example the second spindle 8, is rotated in such a way that the second spindle nut 12 executes a stroke to move the ram(s) 16 radially outwards through a respective opening 18 and to open the desired flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n'. To close the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' again, the second spindle 8 is rotated so that the second Spindle nut 12 performs an opposite stroke to move the / the plunger 16 radially inward.

FIGS. 6 to 12 show schematic views of a further exemplary embodiment of a distributor 1 for a fluid medium, for example a gas or a liquid, in particular waste water or gray water, in an exemplary position of use. Insofar as the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" are used in the following, this refers to this position of use of distributor 1.

The distributor 1 has a main body 2 designed as a hollow body and at least one media inlet 3 which is arranged, for example, on a lateral surface of the main body 2 and is intended for feeding the medium into the main body 2 . Furthermore, at least two media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are provided on the main body 2, for example on a lateral surface of the main body 2. The main body 2 is designed as a tube, in particular a cylindrical tube, formed and adapted and intended to be placed in a tank 23. The tank 23 can be part of a device 21 for heating drinking water and optionally a hot water heater, in particular a low-temperature heater, through the use of gray water in a heat exchanger 22 which comprises a number of thermally stratified heating zones, in particular a number of layers in the tank 23. In the position of use, the main body 2 can in particular be arranged vertically or substantially vertically in the tank 23; however, this is not mandatory. The media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are distributed over the length of the main body 2 so that the fluid medium can be discharged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 and thus different heat zones in the tank 23 can be supplied. Instead of a single media output 4.1, 4.1', 4.2, 4.2', 4.n to 4.n', two or more media outputs 4.1, 4.1', 4.2, 4.2', 4.n to 4.n' can be used as a pair or Group at the same height, that is longitudinal position, be arranged on different sides of the main body 2. Each of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' is provided with a flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n', with which the respective media outlet 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' can be closed. The flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be configured to open outwards.

Also provided in the main body 2 is a distribution mechanism 6 which is used to open one of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' or a pair or a group of media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' to discharge the medium located in the main body 2 through this medium outlet 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' or this pair or to divert this group while the other media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are closed, so that at no time more than one of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1' , 4.2' to 4.n', more than one of the pairs or more than one of the groups is open. The distributor mechanism 6 can be configured in such a way that it is additionally possible to close all media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' at the same time.

In one embodiment, the distributor mechanism 6 may comprise a vertically oriented threaded spindle 7 connected to a drive 9 , for example an electric motor, so that the spindle 7 can be rotated in the main body 2 . The drive 9 can be located at the top of the spindle 7 and can be arranged inside or outside the main body 2 .

The distributor mechanism 6 can also have a spindle nut 11 which is in engagement with the thread of the spindle 7 and which is secured against rotation in the main body 2 and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof.

To prevent the spindle nut 11 from turning in the main body 2, a guide tube 17 is provided, for example, which can have a rectangular cross section and is made of a ferromagnetic material. The spindle nut 11 is guided in the guide tube 17 . One or more permanent magnets 30 can also be arranged on the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n', with which the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5 .n' are held on the guide tube 17 in their closed position. Furthermore, one or more electromagnets 31 can be arranged on the spindle nut 11 . The flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can further be biased towards their closed position by respective springs (not shown) and/or by gravity.

For opening a flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' or a pair or a group of flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' on a After a certain longitudinal position of the main body 2, the spindle 7 is rotated in order to bring the spindle nut 11 into a longitudinal position in which the electromagnets 31 are each connected to a desired flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n', especially their magnets can interact. As soon as the spindle nut 11 has reached this longitudinal position, the electromagnets 31 are energized in order to overlay the magnetic effect of the magnet of the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n', in particular to cancel it out, so that the Flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' opens, for example under the pressure of the liquid medium. In order to close the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' again, the energization of the electromagnets 31 is terminated.

FIGS. 13 to 18 show schematic views of a further exemplary embodiment of a distributor 1 for a fluid medium, for example a gas or a liquid, in particular waste water or gray water, in an exemplary position of use. Insofar as the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" are used in the following, this refers to this position of use of distributor 1.

The distributor 1 has a main body 2 designed as a hollow body and at least one media inlet 3 which is arranged, for example, on a lateral surface of the main body 2 and for feeding the medium into the main body 2 is determined. Furthermore, at least two media outputs 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n,

4. L, 4.2' to 4.n' provided on the main body 2, for example on a lateral surface of the main body 2. The main body 2 is formed as a tube, in particular a cylindrical tube, and is suitable and intended for this purpose, arranged in a tank 23 to become. The tank 23 can be part of a device 21 for heating drinking water and optionally a hot water heater, in particular a low-temperature heater, through the use of gray water in a heat exchanger 22 which comprises a number of thermally stratified heating zones, in particular a number of layers in the tank 23. In the position of use, the main body 2 can in particular be arranged vertically or substantially vertically in the tank 23, but this is not absolutely necessary. The media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are distributed over the length of the main body 2 so that the fluid medium can be discharged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 and thus different heat zones in the tank 23 can be supplied. Instead of a single media output 4.1, 4.1', 4.2, 4.2', 4.n to 4.n', two or more media outputs 4.1, 4.1', 4.2, 4.2', 4.n to 4.n' can be used as a pair or Group at the same height, that is longitudinal position, be arranged on different sides of the main body 2.

5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' may be configured to open outwards.

Also provided in the main body 2 is a distribution mechanism 6 which is used to open one of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' or a pair or a group of media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' to discharge the medium located in the main body 2 through this medium outlet 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' or this pair or to divert this group while the other media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' are closed, so that at no time more than one of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1' , 4.2' to 4.n', more than one of the couples or more than one of the groups is open. The distributor mechanism 6 can be configured in such a way that it is additionally possible to close all media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' at the same time.

In addition to the spindle 7, a rotatable shaft 36 is arranged parallel to it, which can have, for example, a non-circular, in particular square, cross-section. The shaft 36 is also connected to a drive 10, through which it can be rotated. A crossbar 33 is connected to the shaft 36 in such a way that the crossbar 33 protrudes radially from the shaft 36 in at least one direction and can be rotated together with it. The shaft 36 can be arranged coaxially in the main body 2 while the spindle 7 can be arranged eccentrically next to it. The crossbar 33 is also connected to the spindle nut 11 in such a way that both can only be moved together in the longitudinal direction, but limited rotation of the crossbar 33 with the shaft 36 is possible.

The crossbar 33 and the spindle nut 11 as well as the shaft 36 and the spindle 7 are arranged in a guide tube 17 which is arranged concentrically in the main body 2 and is secured against twisting in the main body 2 .

A coupling ring 34 is arranged on the outside of the guide tube 17 so that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction. The crossbar 33 and/or the coupling ring 34 are/is formed from or contain/contains a magnetic material. If only one of the Components crossbar 33 and coupling 34 is magnetic, the other component contains at least one magnetizable material or is formed from it. In this way, the crossbeam 33 is magnetically coupled to the coupling ring 34 by the wall of the guide tube 17, which can be made of a non-magnetic and non-magnetizable material, for example, so that the coupling ring 34 and the crossbeam 33 are displaced longitudinally both in the main body 2 and can also be rotated. The coupling ring 34 has one or more cams 35 on its outside, with which it can actuate the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' when it is rotated accordingly.

The flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be moved in the direction of be biased to their closed position.

For opening a flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' or a pair or a group of flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' on a In a specific longitudinal position of the main body 2, the spindle 7 is rotated in order to bring the spindle nut 11, the crossbar 33 and the coupling ring 34, which is magnetically coupled to the crossbar 33 through the wall of the guide tube 17, into a longitudinal position in which the cams 35 each have a desired flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n'. The shaft 36 is rotated in such a way that the cams 35 are not aligned with the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' with regard to their angle about the longitudinal axis L of the main body 2 and thus in the longitudinal direction can be driven past the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' without actuating them. For this purpose, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' are arranged in particular in one or more rows along the main body 2, between which sufficient space remains for moving the cams 35 in the longitudinal direction. As soon as the spindle nut 11 has reached the desired longitudinal position, the shaft 36 is rotated in such a way that the cams 35 actuate the desired flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' so that it opens. In order to close the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' again the shaft 36 is rotated so that the cams 35 are not angularly aligned with the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' about the longitudinal axis L of the main body 2.

All of the above embodiments can also be modified such that the main body 2 is arranged not in the tank 23 but outside of the tank 23 . In this case, respective connecting lines can be provided from each of the media outlets 4.1, 4.2 to 4.n, 4.1', 4.2' to 4.n' to the tank 23.

In general, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be attached to the main body 2 by means of a respective hinge and configured to pivot about this hinge.

In general, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be opened purely mechanically by the spindle nut 11, 12 such that the spindle nut 11, 12 can be opened by turning the spindle 7, 8 when it reaches the corresponding longitudinal position, a lug or a projection of the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' is displaced radially outwards. When the spindle nut 11, 12 continues to move, the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can then be returned to its closed position, for example by means of a spring, in particular a torsion spring.

The mechanical opening can be directional. For example, the nose on the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be detected when the spindle nut 11, 12 is moved in one direction by its cam 35 and the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n , 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' are opened accordingly, while the lug is guided past the cam 35 in the opposite direction when the spindle nut 11, 12 is moved.

Furthermore, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can generally be opened magnetically by the spindle nut 11, 12. For this purpose, the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1 ', 5.2' to 5.n 'on a magnet or is a magnet and the Spindle nut 11, 12 has a magnet or is a magnet. The magnet of the spindle nut 11, 12 is aligned in such a way that it repels the magnet of the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' when it reaches the corresponding longitudinal position. The magnet of the spindle nut 11, 12 can be a permanent magnet 30 or an electromagnet 31.

Furthermore, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can generally be opened by the spindle nut 11, 12 by compensating for magnetic forces. For this purpose, the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' has a magnet or is a magnet and adheres to a ferromagnetic element, which can be part of the main body 2, so that the flap 5.1 , 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' remains closed. The spindle nut 11, 12 also has a magnet or is a magnet. The magnet of the spindle nut 11, 12 is aligned in such a way that it compensates for the magnetic force of the magnet of the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' when the corresponding longitudinal position is reached, so that the flap 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' by the pressure of the medium opens, while all other flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' as a result of the uncompensated magnetic force of their magnets remain closed. The magnet of the spindle nut 11, 12 can be a permanent magnet 30 or an electromagnet 31. A cable to the spindle nut 11, 12 is provided for supplying power to the electromagnet 31.

In other embodiments, the heat exchanger 22 can have a plurality of heat exchanger cells connected to one another in the form of tanks 23 arranged one above the other, as described in WO 2020/148230 A1, the content of which is fully incorporated by reference into the present patent application. In this case, the main body 2 would run through all the tanks 23 and in each of the tanks 23 would have media outlets 4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n'. The heat exchanger 22 according to this embodiment or that shown in the figures above is traversed by at least one pipeline 24, in particular a spiral tube, for example at least two spiral tubes 24 or a double spiral. The at least one pipeline 24 carries drinking water or heating water from a hot water heating system or low temperature heating. In the case of two or more spiral pipes 24, for example, one of the spiral pipes 24 can lead to drinking water and the other to heating water. The at least one pipeline 24 runs through a part of the heat exchanger 22 or the entire heat exchanger 22. The device 21 is connected to a supply line 26 which, for example, carries gray water occurring in a building or a plant. A temperature sensor 25 for determining the temperature of the gray water and a controllable flap can be provided, with which the gray water is fed to the distributor 1 arranged in or next to the device 21 either when a predetermined first temperature is exceeded or reached, or when the temperature falls below the predetermined first temperature a bypass (not shown) is routed past the distributor 1.

In front of the distributor 1, the gray water can first pass through a coarse filter (not shown), in which it is cleaned. Downstream of the coarse filter is the distributor 1, for example as shown in one of Figures 1-18. A temperature sensor 25 for determining a temperature of the gray water can be provided in the distributor 1 or upstream of the distributor 1 . Depending on the level of this temperature, one of the media outlets 4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n' or a pair or a group of media outlets 4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n' is opened and the gray water of a specific layer supplied in the tank 23. In this way, stratification of the gray water temperature in the tank 23 that decreases from top to bottom can be achieved or supported.

In one embodiment, the distributor 1 is electronically controlled, for example by means of a control part that is not shown. The control part can be designed in such a way that the temperature of the gray water occurring in distributor 1 or upstream of it is compared with the temperatures in different layers of tank 23 and the gray water from distributor 1 is fed to that layer in tank 23 whose current temperature is the lowest is colder than that of the gray water in the distributor 1. For this purpose, each of the layers into which one of the media outlets 4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n' or one of the pairs or one of the groups of media outlets 4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n', be equipped with a respective temperature sensor 32.1 to 32.n.

Several pipelines 24, in particular in the form of respective spiral tubes, can be provided, for example two, three or more spiral tubes.

The drinking water and/or heating water is routed through a spiral pipe 24, for example from bottom to top.

An electronically controllable shut-off valve in the drinking water line and/or heating water line can be used to regulate a flow rate and stop the flow after it has passed through the entire heat exchanger 22 or part of it. The preheated drinking water can then be fed into a buffer storage tank (not shown), which can be heated to a desired end temperature by one or more heating devices.

In one embodiment, a spiral pipe 24 can be used for a heat pump in the bottom layer of the tank 23, which largely or completely extracts the energy from the water and optionally heats the buffer storage tank with it.

The aim of the device 21 is the heat recovery from accumulating gray water for heating drinking water and, if necessary, heating water, in particular for a low-temperature heating system, for example underfloor heating. For this purpose, an exact separation of waste water into black water and gray water, for example by a two-pipe waste water system, can be provided in a one-pipe waste water system. Gray water is waste water without faeces, while black water can contain faeces. The temperature of the gray water that occurs is measured by at least one temperature sensor 25 and compared with the existing temperatures of the gray water in the various layers of the heat exchanger 22 . If the temperature of the accumulating gray water is lower than any of the current existing temperatures of the gray water in the various layers, the gray water can be routed through a bypass into a sewage system.

However, if the temperature of the accumulating gray water is greater than or equal to the lowest temperature in one of the layers in the tank 23, the gray water passes through the coarse filter and is then directed through the distributor 1 into one of the layers. The initially measured temperature of the gray water to be fed in determines which of the layers it is fed into.

The interior of the piping 24 is isolated from the contents of the tank 23.

The control part compares the temperatures of the accumulating gray water with the temperatures of the gray water in the layers in the tank 23. The gray water is fed through the distributor 1, for example, into that layer which is the least colder than the accumulating gray water.

An electronically controllable valve can be provided on the drinking water line and/or the heating water line downstream of the tank 23, with which the flow rate can be regulated in order to enable maximum heat absorption or to be able to set a desired flow temperature in the heating circuit. A pressure gauge can also be located in front of this valve. If the pressure in the drinking water line and/or in the heating water line drops, although the valve is closed, a leak in the relevant pipeline 24 can be concluded. In this way, a protective function is implemented to immediately notice the entry of gray water into the drinking water pipe and/or the heating circuit. The preheated drinking water can be fed into an existing buffer tank and heated to the desired end temperature by one or more technical systems.

The tank 23 can be insulated by insulating materials. An installation location of the device 21 is preferably selected in a building or outside so that the gray water can flow through the device 21 unhindered by gradients, so that pumps can be dispensed with.

Outside of a building, the heat exchanger 22 can be arranged in a thermally insulated underground tank. In this way, the device 21 is also suitable for buildings without a basement or with little space.

The heat exchanger 22 and/or the pipeline 24 and/or the distributor 1 can be made of plastic. In this way the device 21 is better suited for aggressive liquids in gray water. The heat exchanger 22 and/or the pipeline 24 and/or the distributor 1 can also comprise metal, for example stainless steel. In particular, the pipeline 24 can, for example, be made of metal, in particular stainless steel, and be coated with plastic on an outside and/or an inside.

The device 21 can be used without significant changes for the use of waste heat from cooling systems. In this case, the waste heat from the cooling system is absorbed by means of a cooling liquid, for example water, and is fed into the heat exchanger 22 instead of the gray water. In this case, the temperatures can average over 40 °C and can therefore also be used for heating drinking water and heating systems, especially low-temperature heating systems. The water, which absorbs and releases the waste heat, is kept in a circuit and is not dirty, so that maintenance work due to dirt and the connection to the sewage network can be omitted.

The device 21 enables the use of a large proportion of the energy in the gray water or cooling water. A significant reduction in energy costs is therefore possible. The device 21 can be combined with various heating systems. In combination with a heat pump system with a borehole, for example, cost savings of around 85% are possible.

The device 21 incurs only low operating costs, since hardly any electricity is required for operation due to the absence of pumps.

The device 21 is a regenerative system and is therefore one of the renewable systems and meets modern requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance. As a result, cost savings are possible in the shell of buildings.

For example, less insulation and no triple glazing may be required, since the device 21 saves so much energy that these measures are no longer absolutely necessary.

Due to the energy recovery, the device 21 can pay for itself within a reasonable period of time.

The process described represents a new type of cooling, i.e. the removal of waste heat from cooling systems and the simultaneous use of the energy stored in them.

In one embodiment, another heated liquid, for example cooling liquid from a cooling system, a power plant or an industrial plant, can be used instead of the gray water.

In one embodiment, a coiled tubing 24 for potable water may be routed through all layers of the tank 23 from bottom to top. A pipe spiral 24 for heat generation for a heat pump can be provided in the bottom layer. In the layers above, a pipe spiral 24 can be provided for obtaining heat for a heating system, in particular a low-temperature heating system, for example underfloor heating or for raising the return temperature. For the Low-temperature heating system, another pipeline 24 can be provided, which runs through the layers from bottom to top as a return. In or between different layers, the pipeline 24 can be connected via connecting pipes to form a supply line. Electronically controlled flaps can be provided in the connecting pipes, by means of which a predetermined flow temperature can be set in the flow line. The flaps in the connecting pipes can also be controlled and/or regulated by the control part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined temperature may be 40°C for the top layer, 35°C for the underlying layer, 30°C for the underlying layer, and 20°C for the bottom layer.

Instead of being provided with the distributor 1 according to one of FIGS. 1 to 18, the device 21 can alternatively be provided with another type of distributor device, for example with one of those described in WO 2020/148230 A1

distribution devices .

In all of the embodiments, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can be pretensioned in the direction of their closed position by means of springs and/or other means, for example permanent magnets 30. If the internal pressure in the distributor 1 becomes too high, the flaps 5.1, 5.2 to 5.n, 5.1', 5.2' to 5.n' can open and allow the pressure to escape, only to then close again.

REFERENCE LIST

1 distributor

2 main body

3 media input

4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n' media output

5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n' flap

6 distribution mechanism

7 spindle, first spindle

8 spindle, second spindle

9 drive

10 drive

11 spindle nut, first spindle nut

12 spindle nut, second spindle nut

13 frames

14 longitudinal guide

15 levers

16 pestles

17 guide tube

18 opening

21 device

22 heat exchangers

23 tanks

24 pipe/pipe spiral

25 temperature sensor

26 lead

30 permanent magnet

31 electromagnet

32.1 to 32. n T emperature sensor

33 transoms

34 coupling ring

35 cams

36 rotatable shaft

L longitudinal axis

Claims

P A T E N T L A N G E S R U C H S Distributor (1) for a fluid medium, having a main body designed as a hollow body

(2) and at least one media input

(3) for feeding the medium into the main body (2), wherein at least two medium outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') are distributed along a lateral surface of the main body (2) and each with a flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') with which the respective media outlet (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') can be closed, with a distribution mechanism ( 6) arranged for selectively discharging the medium through at least one of the media outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') or through a pair or a group of media outlets located at the same or a similar longitudinal position of the main body (2). (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n'), but preferably not through all media outlets (4.1 to 4.n,

4.1' to 4.n') at the same time, wherein the distributor mechanism (6) has at least one spindle (7, 8) which is connected to at least one drive (9, 10) so that the spindle (7 , 8) is rotatable relative to the main body (2), the distributor mechanism (6) further comprising at least one spindle nut (11, 12) which is in engagement with a thread of the spindle (7, 8), the spindle nut (11 , 12) to open the flaps (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') or to compensate for a closing direction of the flaps (5.1 to 5.n,

5.1 'to 5.n') acting force is configured upon reaching the longitudinal position. The distributor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distributor mechanism (6) is further configured so that all media outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4.n') are closable at the same time. Distributor (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the spindle nut (11, 12) has or is connected to at least one cam (35) or tappet (16) which is used to open the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') is configured. Distributor (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') has a magnet and the spindle nut (11, 12) has at least one magnet which is or can be aligned in this way is that it repels the magnet of the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n'). Distributor (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') has a magnet which closes the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') towards at least one ferromagnetic element arranged on or connected to the main body (2) for closing, the spindle nut (11, 12) having at least one magnet which is oriented or orientable so as to counteract the force of the magnet of the flap (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n'). Distributor (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the magnet of the spindle nut (11, 12) is designed as a permanent magnet (30) or as an electromagnet (31). A distributor (1) according to claim 3, wherein the distributor mechanism (6) comprises:

- a first spindle (7) and a second spindle (8) with respective threads, which are each connected to a drive (9, 10),

- a first spindle nut (11) which is in engagement with the thread of the first spindle (7),

- a second spindle nut (12) which is in engagement with the thread of the second spindle (8), the spindle nuts (11, 12) being coupled to one another in such a way that the two spindle nuts (11, 12) cannot be rotated relative to one another and a limited stroke of the second spindle nut (12) relative to the first spindle nut (11) in the longitudinal direction is possible, with at least one lever (15) being rotatably articulated on the second spindle nut (12), on which in turn an in a radial direction movably guided ram (16) is articulated such that a lifting movement of the second spindle nut (12) relative to the first spindle nut (11) causes a radial movement of the ram (16). Distributor (1) according to claim 7, wherein the spindle nuts (7, 8) are guided in a guide tube (17) secured against twisting, wherein in the guide tube (17) several, on the flaps (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5 .n ') aligned openings (18) are provided for the passage of the at least one plunger (16). Manifold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flaps (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') are biased towards their closed position by means of respective springs and/or by means of gravity and/or by means of a respective magnet . Distributor (1) according to Claim 3, in which a rotatable shaft (36) is arranged parallel to the spindle (7) and is also connected to a drive (10), a crossbar (33) being arranged in at least one direction radially from the shaft ( 36) protrudes and can be rotated together with it, the crossbar (33) also being connected to the spindle nut (11) in such a way that both can only be moved in the longitudinal direction together, but limited rotation of the crossbar (33) with the shaft (36) is possible, with the crossbar (33) and the spindle nut (11) as well as the shaft (36) and the spindle (7) being arranged in a guide tube (17) which is arranged in the main body (2) and secured against twisting in the main body (2), a coupling ring (34) being arranged on the outside of the guide tube (17) so that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, the crossbar (33) being magnetically coupled to the coupling ring (34) through the wall of the guide tube (17) in such a way is that the coupling ring (34) together with the crossbar (33) can be both longitudinally displaced and rotated in the main body (2), the coupling ring (34) having one or more cams (35) on its outside for actuating the flaps (5.1 to 5.n, 5.1' to 5.n') depending on a rotational position of the crossbar (33). A manifold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2) is formed as a tube. Device (21) for heat recovery from a liquid medium, comprising a heat exchanger (22) comprising several thermally stratified heating zones in a tank (23), the heat exchanger (22) being traversed by at least one pipe (24) in which a medium to be heated can be guided, with a distributor (1) for the liquid medium, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, being arranged next to and/or in the tank (23) and media outlets (4.1 to 4.n, 4.1' to 4 .n ') of the distributor (1) for the outlet of the medium in the different heat zones of the tank (23) are arranged. Device (21) according to claim 12, wherein a temperature sensor (25) is provided for determining a temperature of the liquid medium in the distributor (1), each of the heating zones in the tank (23) being equipped with a respective temperature sensor (32.1 to 32.n). is provided, wherein a control part is provided that is configured to compare the temperature of the medium occurring in the distributor (1) with the temperatures in the various heating zones and to control the distributor (1) in such a way that the medium is fed to those heating zones whose current temperature is the least colder than that of the medium in the distributor (1). Use of the distributor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11 or of the device (21) according to one of Claims 12 or 13 with gray water as the liquid medium.