DE102011016728A1 - Two-line solar station for installation in flow line and/or return line of solar cycle of pressure-prone solar systems, has a temperature-resistant hollow structure provided with several openings for releasing internal air pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

The solar station comprises a pressure relief valve, and a temperature-resistant hollow structure (19) which is connected to the outlet of pressure relief valve. The hollow structure has several openings (12) for releasing the internal air pressure, such that no pressure or only a very small positive pressure is build up in the hollow structure. The opening of hollow structure is designed such that an acoustic signal is generated during the venting process of pressure.

Description

The invention relates to a solar station for installation in the flow line and / or in the return line of a pressurized, solar thermal circuit with a pressure relief valve and an integrated, rear hollow body, which is connected to the pressure relief valve that drained solar medium is safely collected.

The solar medium in pressurized thermal solar systems is usually a colored water antifreeze mixture with corrosion inhibitors.

Solar stations are industrially prefabricated modules for solar thermal circuits, in which different components such as pumps, controllers, heat exchangers, check valves, shut-off or changeover valves, breather, probe, flushing and filling valves and pressure relief valves can be arranged. Solar stations reduce the time required for the installation of the individual components and largely avoid errors in their connection.

In order to reduce the heat losses of the solar station, suitable insulation shells are manufactured and attached. The insulating shells are usually cast from a foam, for example EPP foam (EPP = expanded polypropylene) and receive the control unit.

In principle, solar stations can be divided into single-strand and two-strand compact stations. Two-strand solar stations contain, in contrast to single-rail solar stations, components for both the supply line and the return line. The components are usually fixed with the aid of a metal holder (eg wall holder, mounting plate) and the suitably shaped rear insulating shell. The metallic holder also serves to attach the solar station to the wall.

A two-strand solar station for a pressureless solar circuit, a so-called drain-back system, is in DE 20 2010 014 264 U1 shown. Here, a collecting container is arranged in the return line to the collector, in which the solar medium runs back when the filling and circulation pump is deactivated. In the flow line a collecting container for air is further arranged, is deposited in the entrained air. Pressure-free solar circuits such as drain back systems do not require a pressure relief valve.

Solar stations for pressurized solar systems usually contain a pressure relief valve and a connection option for an expansion vessel.

The expansion vessel compensates for the change in volume of the solar medium due to temperature change. A volume expansion of the solar medium leads to an increase in the system pressure. During system downtime with high solar radiation, the volumetric expansion caused by evaporation of the solar medium can be considerable. DE 20 2008 007 256 U1 describes a built-in the housing of a solar station stub to the expansion vessel, which has at least partially heat sink with increased surface area to deliver the high temperatures associated with high volume expansion at a standstill to the environment.

When the maximum system pressure is exceeded, the pressure relief valve opens and leaves liquid or possibly hot, vaporous solar medium. Discharging of solar medium usually occurs when the system standstill with high solar radiation vaporizes the solar medium, greatly expanded and the expansion vessel can not absorb the change in volume. After the collector temperature has dropped and the solar medium condenses, the drained solar medium in the solar circuit is missing and the pressure drops below the recommended minimum. As a result, air can enter the solar circuit or cavitation occur, causing a failure of the solar system.

The collection of the emerging at excess pressure solar medium is left to the craftsman. Since there is no special, temperature-resistant container for this purpose, the pressure relief valve is usually connected by means of a hose to an empty canister of the solar medium, which is intended to prevent endangering persons and the immediate environment. In the evaluation of realized solar systems, however, it is regularly documented that a collecting container is not professionally connected due to a lack of awareness of the problem or is completely absent.

The invention is based on the object to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved in that a single-strand or two-strand solar station is produced which integrates, the back has a temperature-resistant hollow body, which is already connected in the delivery condition with the outlet of the pressure relief valve, so that discharged from the pressure relief valve solar medium is safely collected.

The inventive solar station reliably reduces the risk potential for people, the environment and the environment by exiting possibly hot, vaporous solar medium. The solar station also leads to a Saving space on the floor and save time for the craftsman, as he does not have to make the connection between canister and pressure relief valve. Due to lack of contamination of the solar medium in an open canister, the container allows reuse in the solar system after elimination of the cause of the overpressure or proper disposal.

So that no or only a very small overpressure can build up in the collecting container, the hollow body has a venting possibility. The venting possibility may be a simple opening or a corresponding device for automatic venting.

The venting device can be designed such that it generates an acoustic signal when venting, which of course occurs simultaneously with a discharge of solar medium. This immediately informs the operator of the need for action to find and remedy the cause of the high pressure.

Advantageously, the hollow body has a drainage possibility, whereby the solar medium can be discharged for reuse or proper disposal. As drainage possibility a lockable device, in particular a ball valve, a drain tap or the like can be used.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the hollow body has the required strength and the shape to take over the functions of a metallic holder, namely on the one hand the attachment to the wall and on the other the fixation of the components. The hollow body thus has recesses, recesses and contours, so that the components undergo lateral guidance. In addition, the rear hollow body of the solar station in an advantageous embodiment, at least one mounting opening for wall mounting.

A further advantageous embodiment of the solar station provides that the hollow body has holding openings for the fixation of the components by means of clips.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hollow body is made of either metal or a temperature-resistant plastic. The latter embodiment provides the further advantage that the hollow body has a heat-insulating effect, so that a rear insulating shell can be omitted.

Preferably, the hollow body is made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic, so that the level is visible from the outside. Advantageously, a scale is attached to the hollow body, impressed or embossed, which allows reading the volume contained, because due to its complex shape, the level may not increase linearly with the volume contained. By regularly reading the level or the volume contained, the response of the pressure relief valve can be observed and overflow of the collecting container can be avoided.

An exemplary two-strand solar station for pressurized solar circuits of the Applicant is in 1 shown.

2 represents the back hollow body according to the invention ( 19 ) of a two-strand solar station.

1 illustrates an example of the state of the art of a two-strand solar station for a pressurized solar circuit. 1 ) and rear insulating shell ( 2 ) together serve to fix the components of the solar station.

The pump ( 9 ) is arranged in the return line to the collectors. In front of the pump there is a flow sensor with sight glass ( 8th ). In the flow direction then follows a shut-off valve ( 5 ) with integrated non-return flap, integrated thermometer and clips for attachment to the wall bracket. Above the branch to the expansion tank ( 11 ) with pressure gauge is the pressure relief valve ( 10 ) with connection possibility for the collecting container. In the flow line are considered in the flow direction, a similar shut-off valve ( 5 ), an air separator ( 6 ) and a rinsing and filling valve ( 7 ) arranged. The solar station is replaced by a front insulating shell ( 4 ) with recess for the operation of the controller ( 3 ) completed.

2 , represents the back hollow body according to the invention ( 19 ) of a two-strand solar station. The hollow body has an inlet ( 14 ) for connection to the pressure relief valve, a venting device or an opening ( 12 ) for discharging the air when solar medium is introduced, and an emptying possibility ( 17 ) for draining the solar medium. The emptying option preferably has a lockable ball valve.

Furthermore, in 2 a mounting hole ( 13 ) for wall mounting and retaining openings ( 18 ) for fixing the components for supply and return line in their recesses ( 16 ) to recognize. Likewise, the hollow body has a recess ( 15 ) for receiving the pump.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

wall mount

2

Back insulation shell

3

regulator

4

Front insulating shell

5

Shut-off valve with integrated non-return valve, integrated thermometer and clips for fixing to the wall bracket

6

air separator

7

Flushing and filling fitting

8th

Flow sensor with sight glass

9

circulating pump

10

Pressure relief valve with integrated pressure gauge and connection possibility for the collecting container

11

Connection possibility of the expansion tank

12

venting device

13

Mounting hole for wall mounting

14

Inlet for connection to the pressure relief valve

15

Recess for the circulation pump

16

Recesses for the components of the supply and the return line

17

emptying facility

18

Holding openings for fixing the components

19

Hollow body according to the invention

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202010014264 U1 [0006]
• DE 202008007256 U1 [0008]

Claims (11)

Solar station for installation in the flow and / or in the return line of a solar thermal circuit with a pressure relief valve, characterized in that the solar station on the back has a temperature-resistant hollow body which is connected to the outlet of the pressure relief valve. Solar station according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow body has a venting possibility or an opening, so that no pressure or only a very small overpressure can build up in the collecting container. Solar station according to claim 2, characterized in that the venting device or the opening of the hollow body is designed such that it generates an acoustic signal during the venting. Solar station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body has a drainage possibility. Solar station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body has the strength and the shape in order to enable on the one hand the attachment to the wall and on the other the reception and fixing of the components. Solar station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body has at least one mounting opening for wall mounting. Solar station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body has holding openings for the attachment of the components by means of clips. Solar station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body is made of metal. Solar station according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hollow body consists of a temperature-resistant plastic. Solar station according to claim 9, characterized in that the plastic hollow body has the required transparency to allow a reading of the level from the outside. Solar station according to claim 10, characterized in that on the hollow body, a scale is provided, which allows a reading of the liquid volume contained.

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