DE102024001816A1 - Fluid storage tank with a quickly and easily adjustable three-way or multi-way fluid storage valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid storage tank (17) with a mechanically actuated fluid storage valve (10) having three or more inlet/outlet ports. The fluid storage tank (17) is connected to a piping system via at least three ports, with at least two of these ports being controlled by the fluid storage valve (10). Fluid storage tanks (17) with zones of different stored fluid temperatures often require three-way or multi-way valves as fluid storage valves (10) to allow temperature-dependent fluid inlet or outlet. In particular, hot water storage tanks for the rapid provision of hot drinking water require valves that can be switched quickly, which, in known mechanical three-way or multi-way valves, necessitates a powerful actuator. The inventive combinations of fluid accumulator (17) and fluid accumulator valve (10) are characterized in that the fluid accumulator valve (10) has a controllable device for reversibly acting on one of two separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) inside the fluid accumulator valve (10), which is not fixed to the separating device (2, 2a, 2b). The mounting location and design of the controllable device result in easier and thus faster switching of the fluid accumulator valve (10). For even faster switching, the mechanical work required for switching can be further reduced by further technical embodiments of the fluid accumulator valve (10).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a fluid accumulator with a mechanically actuated fluid accumulator valve having three or more inlet/outlet openings. Strictly speaking, not all embodiments of the fluid accumulator valve are actually valves, but rather fittings. However, in preferred embodiments, a sealing element – here referred to as a "separating device" – is moved minimally, approximately parallel to the flow direction of the fluid, by means of a pressing device to ensure the most complete seal possible. This movement presses the sealing surface – here referred to as a "recess bridge" – against a suitably shaped opening – here referred to as a "pass-through recess." Therefore, these embodiments can also be described as valves in the strict sense. For the sake of simplicity, this patent application uses the terms "valve" or "fluid accumulator valve" throughout, thus employing them in a broader sense. Furthermore, when the term "valve" is used in this application, it always refers to a "fluid accumulator valve," and thus to a valve that controls the introduction of fluid into or the discharge of fluid from a fluid accumulator. Likewise, the term "valve according to the invention" always includes the fluid storage valve in the case of the "fluid storage tank with at least one fluid storage valve" according to the invention.

State of the art

Mechanically operated three-way or multi-way valves between piping systems and fluid storage tanks already exist in numerous designs and have been known for a long time. However, these always require a relatively large amount of force to adjust, usually have long strokes, and are generally very sluggish or require a correspondingly powerful motor for rapid adjustment. For example, the supply of heating water at different temperatures from a heat pump to different temperature zones of a stratified storage tank—a very warm zone for domestic hot water and a cooler zone for heating water—can be controlled via a three-way motorized valve. Conversely, three-way or multi-way valves can be used to draw the fluid at the most suitable temperature from different temperature zones of a fluid storage tank. This prevents, or at least reduces, the need to mix excessively warm fluid with cooler fluid to achieve the appropriate temperature.

Especially for fluid storage according to the patent applications EP1617097B1 In patent applications EP12159873.4 and others, where the storage tanks (fluid storage tanks) hold both cold and hot water separately, valves or thermostatic mixing valves are used so that water from the piping system can be supplied to the storage area at the appropriate temperature. Since the temperature of the water flowing to the storage tank can change relatively quickly upon arrival, correspondingly fast-acting valves/thermomixers are necessary. Therefore, very powerful motors are required when using electronically controlled three-way valves as thermostatic mixing valves.

Description of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a fluid accumulator with at least one fluid accumulator valve having three or more inlet/outlet openings for introducing fluid from a piping system into different temperature ranges of the fluid accumulator or for draining fluid from different temperature ranges of the fluid accumulator into a piping system, which can be adjusted with less force and/or by means of shorter actuation paths, also with valves with numerous possible opening combinations.

This problem of the invention is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are found in the respective dependent claims.

A fluid accumulator with at least one fluid accumulator valve is provided, wherein the fluid accumulator is integrated into a piping system via at least three connections, and at least two of these at least three connections are reversibly connected and configured to at least one line of the piping system via the at least one fluid accumulator valve. The fluid accumulator valve comprises a valve housing, at least one actuating device, at least three inlet/outlet openings, and at least two separating devices, which are arranged in a substantially sealing manner against one another. At least one of the separating devices is reversibly adjustable in its relative position to at least one other separating device by means of the at least one actuating device. The at least two separating devices also have recesses, which are referred to here as passage recesses; the sections of the separating device located between the passage recesses of a separating device are referred to and defined here as recess bridges. The passage recesses are arranged and designed in the separating devices such that at least partially overlapping—i.e., at least partially congruent—passage recesses create a flow path. The gaps in the separating devices can be designed to form openings through which the fluid can flow. These openings are referred to here as passage openings. It follows that at least two separating devices – with respect to the flow direction of the fluid when entering or exiting through passage openings – are, or must be, arranged one behind the other. Advantageously, however, three or more separating devices can also be arranged one behind the other. In a valve according to the invention, at least one of the at least one reversibly adjustable separating device has at least one device recess in which a controllable device for reversibly acting on the separating device is arranged and configured, wherein the controllable device is not fixed to the separating device.

For the sake of textual simplification, in this patent specification, the control of flow openings for a specific inlet/outlet opening may also be formulated as opening this inlet/outlet opening; conversely, the adjustment of the separating devices relative to each other for the purpose of closing the flow openings for a specific inlet/outlet opening is formulated as closing this inlet/outlet opening. Alternatively, these processes may be described as adjusting the valve according to the invention. The term inlet/outlet opening is also intended to clarify that, in a valve according to the invention, these openings can, in principle, be used for both supplying and discharging fluid.

If at least one device recess is designed as an adjusting device recess and a controllable adjusting device for reversibly adjusting the relative position of the at least one separating device that is reversibly adjustable in its relative position to at least one further separating device is arranged and set up in it, then this controllable adjusting device, which is not fixed to the separating device, can enable easy control/adjustment of the separating device by its shape/design and arrangement.

In addition to valve designs with two separating devices arranged one behind the other, designs with three or more separating devices arranged one behind the other and sealingly against each other – relative to the flow direction of the fluid when entering or exiting through passage openings – are also possible and may be advantageous. In this way, even more opening combinations can be controlled in complex valves according to the invention.

In an actuator recess of a separating device of a valve according to the invention, at least one of the at least one actuator rotatable about its actuator adjustment axis can advantageously be arranged (as in the 2 to 8 (as shown). To ensure that the separating device is also adjusted when the adjusting device is rotated/adjusted, the adjusting device's axis is not centrally located. Both the shape and size of the adjusting device, as well as the position of the adjusting device's axis, influence how easily the adjusting device can be rotated/adjusted and the length of the adjustment travel. Alternatively, it can be advantageous if at least one of the at least one adjusting device is axially displaceable along its adjusting device axis within the adjusting device recess of the separating device. In this case, only a portion of the adjusting device may be located within the adjusting device recess of the separating device. This is particularly relevant if such an adjusting device has a particularly long shape. This may be necessary and potentially advantageous because the shape changes of the adjusting device required to adjust/move the separating device extend over a greater distance, thus making the separating device easier to adjust/move, albeit with larger adjustment travel distances for the adjusting device.

For easy adjustment of the separating devices, at least one of the at least one adjusting device can advantageously be arranged in adjusting device recesses of the valves according to the invention between two contact areas of the separating device. These contact areas are the areas of the separating device that adjoin the adjusting device recess and that are touched, or can be touched, by the adjusting device. The contact area can be a single contact point or several individual contact points, a contact line (as in the 2 to 8 ) or a contact surface, depending on the shape of the actuating device and the adjacent ends of the separating device. In order to control different target valve positions with actuating devices, at least one of the at least one actuating device also has different distances between the actuating device adjustment axis and the contact points of the actuating device with the contact areas of the separating device described above, suitable for controlling the target valve positions and the positions of the actuating device set for these target valve positions.

Particularly advantageous is the arrangement of a controllable pressing device for reversibly controlling a pressure force on at least one reversibly adjustable separating device in a The valve according to the invention is such that a contact pressure, or a greater or lesser contact pressure, can be reversibly controlled between the separating devices – which are essentially sealing against each other – and/or between at least one separating device – which is essentially sealing against the inside of the valve housing – and the inside of the valve housing, wherein the controllable contact pressure device is not fixed to the reversibly adjustable separating device. If no high contact pressure is applied, the at least two separating devices – which are essentially sealing against each other – can be more easily adjusted/moved in their relative position to each other by the aforementioned adjusting device. Since the separating devices can thus be adjusted/moved more easily, these processes can be carried out more quickly. If, on the other hand, a high contact pressure is applied, which is particularly advantageous in the intended valve positions or when the separating devices are not being adjusted/moved relative to each other, then the sealing effect of the separating devices is significantly greater, preferably complete.

When a separating device is pressed into place, this separating device moves minimally parallel to the flow direction (or potential flow direction) of the fluid and, where no passage openings are to be controlled, is pressed with its recess bridges onto passage recesses of the other separating device, which leads to a preferably complete sealing/closing of the inlet/outlet opening arranged there.

A pressure device arranged in the pressure device recess of the separating device can either be rotatable about its pressure device adjustment axis (as in the 3 and 4 as a combined adjusting and pressing device and in the 8 shown as a pure pressure device) or arranged to be axially displaceable along its pressure device adjustment axis.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one of the at least one adjusting device is additionally designed, arranged and configured as a pressure device, as in the 3 and 4 As shown in these figures, the clamping device and the adjusting device are designed and arranged such that the position of the clamping device adjustment axis corresponds to the position of the adjusting device adjustment axis. Such a combined adjusting and clamping device is particularly advantageous because only one device is required for both functions. Furthermore, the shape of the adjusting device—if both the adjusting and clamping devices are radially or axially adjustable—ensures that when adjusting/moving the separating device, the clamping pressure, and thus also the frictional resistance, is always lower than in the target valve positions; the valve can therefore be adjusted more easily and/or more quickly. In addition, the separating devices always seal particularly well against each other in the target valve positions.

Pressure devices or combined adjusting-pressure devices, which—in the case of separating devices designed as circular arcs or hollow cylinders—are arranged in a pressure device recess between the two contact areas of a separating device, should be designed, arranged, and configured such that the contact areas of the separating device can be positioned at different distances from each other by different positions of the pressure device or combined adjusting-pressure device. With regard to valves with predetermined valve positions and separating devices designed radially elastically as circular arcs or hollow cylinders, the at least one pressure device or combined adjusting-pressure device should be designed, arranged, and configured such that the contact areas of the separating device are further apart in predetermined valve positions than in other valve positions. This also facilitates the adjustment of valves according to the invention.

If the valve is not to have predefined target valve positions, but rather be able to assume freely selectable, variable valve positions, then separately controllable clamping devices and actuators are advantageous. This allows the clamping pressure to be reduced for each valve adjustment operation, regardless of the valve position being moved from or to. An exemplary separating device with actuator and clamping device suitable for such a valve is described in 8 As shown. Even more advantageous is a combined adjusting-pressing device in a radially elastic separating device designed as a circular arc or hollow cylinder, which is shaped, arranged, and configured such that the adjusting device is adjusted radially by rotating about the adjusting device adjustment axis, and the pressing device is adjusted axially by sliding along the pressing device adjustment axis, or vice versa, wherein the adjusting device adjustment axis and the pressing device adjustment axis preferably have an identical position. If such a valve design without fixed target valve positions is provided with a combined adjusting-pressing device, the following advantageous embodiment exists: A circular arc-shaped separating device or a hollow cylindrical separating device with an elastic wall in the area of the combined adjusting-pressing device, with an adjusting device that is radially adjustable and an axially adjustable one in the combined adjusting-pressing device. A clamping device is arranged in the adjusting device recess of the separating device, which also simultaneously serves as the clamping device recess in the separating device. If the contact areas/contact points arranged on the separating device are appropriately designed/shaped for the combined adjusting-clamping device, then the clamping device can be controlled by an axial adjustment of the combined adjusting-clamping device, and the adjusting device by a radial adjustment of the combined adjusting-clamping device, or vice versa. In a further developed embodiment, the combined adjusting-clamping device, operating as described, can also be actuated by a single motor or other actuator, or by a single manual hand movement. For this to work, at the beginning of the adjustment, the design/shape in the area of power transmission from the motor/actuator/hand lever, etc., to the adjusting device must preferably allow an axial displacement to occur before—but at least simultaneously with—the radial adjustment, and the reverse occurs after the adjustment of the adjusting device is completed. The reverse applies analogously to a radially adjustable clamping device and an axially adjustable adjusting device.

In 8 The clamping device and the adjusting device are both designed, arranged, and configured to be radially adjustable about their respective adjustment axes. However, it is also possible to configure designs in which one of the two devices is radially adjustable about its adjustment axis and the other is axially adjustable along its adjustment axis; or both are axially adjustable along their adjustment axis.

In general, however, for all valves according to the invention with a clamping device and an actuating device, both the at least one clamping device and the at least one actuating device should be designed, arranged, and configured such that a reduced clamping pressure between these separating devices can be controlled during a change in position relative to each other. Various solutions exist to achieve this. For example, the at least one clamping device and the at least one actuating device can be electronically controlled or mechanically coupled. An electronically controlled design is particularly suitable when using electric motors to adjust the valve. A mechanically coupled design can be chosen for both manually and electrically or otherwise actuated valves; for example, the adjustment shafts can be connected via gears for this purpose. The third possibility is that the at least one clamping device and the at least one actuating device are designed as a combined component with a corresponding shape, for example, as in the combined actuating-clamping device according to the 3 and 4 .

In addition to the adjustment drive options already mentioned for a valve according to the invention (manually or with the aid of electric motors), adjustment with the aid of an actuating cylinder may also be advantageous or necessary.

In a preferred embodiment of a valve according to the invention, an electronic control unit and at least one sensor for determining the position of separating devices and/or adjusting devices and/or clamping devices can be arranged and configured; alternatively or additionally, the electronic control unit and at least one sensor can then be used to control electric motors for controlling valve positions. This also ensures that, during a valve adjustment process, the clamping device reliably does not exert excessive clamping pressure, thus allowing the valve to be easily adjusted at the correct time, or that the separating devices can be easily adjusted/shifted relative to each other, or that the separating devices are in a particularly tight seal against each other. Potentiometers have proven effective as sensors in many valves. The sensors of an encoder motor can also be used for this purpose by indirectly inferring the valve position from the motor position.

A valve according to the invention is particularly advantageous if the separating devices, the passage recesses, the recess bridges (arranged between the passage recesses), and the at least one actuating device are arranged, designed, and configured such that the separating devices can be reversibly positioned relative to one another by means of the at least one actuating device, so that at least two passage openings can always be formed simultaneously for at least one of the inlet/outlet openings. It is advantageous if at least two passage openings can be formed for all inlet/outlet openings. It would also be advantageous if more than two passage openings per inlet/outlet opening, or for at least one inlet/outlet opening, could be formed.

Because the fluid flows not through one, but through at least two passage openings to or from an inlet/outlet opening, the passage recesses – which, when superimposed, form the passage openings – can be used for The maximum possible volume flow rate can be the same, albeit smaller. Thus, with a favorable arrangement and design of the passage openings, the required actuation distance is reduced; with two passage openings for an inlet/outlet opening with the same maximum possible volume flow rate, the actuation distance is reduced to approximately half, with three passage openings to one-third, with four passage openings to one-quarter, and so on. In this way, the necessary actuation distances for adjusting the valve can be significantly reduced and the actuation process significantly accelerated, or, with a correspondingly adapted gear ratio of an actuator, e.g., an electric motor, or a correspondingly adapted lever arm, it can be operated with less force. Therefore, less mechanical work is required to actuate/adjust a valve according to the invention.

To control the openings for different inlet/outlet ports at different valve positions, the openings for these ports must be spaced at different distances between the various adjacent separating devices. This distance depends, among other things, on whether the openings are to be opened and closed in an overlapping manner or through complete temporary closure. Furthermore, these distances are also significantly determined by the desired opening sequence when adjusting the valve. By adjusting these distances, it is possible to define the opening sequence of the inlet/outlet ports when adjusting the valve according to the invention. Various or even all combinations of open inlet/outlet ports can also be achieved through a suitable design and arrangement of the openings. If necessary, the size of the openings must be adjusted, or additional openings may need to be provided. The recess bridges are designed and arranged accordingly, depending on the size and position of the passage openings and the opening sequence and system of the inlet/outlet openings. Passage openings and recess bridges must therefore be designed and arranged in a manner that is compatible with each other and with the requirements of the respective valve according to the invention.

A valve according to the invention can also have at least two separating devices arranged side by side – with respect to the flow direction of the fluid when flowing in/out through the passage openings – thereby providing further possibilities for controlling complex valves. This allows two areas of the valve to be controlled independently of each other.

In addition to opening the inlet/outlet openings individually or in combination, it is also possible to arrange, design, and configure the separating devices, the passage recesses, the recess bridges, and the at least one actuating device such that the separating devices can be reversibly positioned relative to each other with the aid of the at least one actuating device for at least one of the inlet/outlet openings simultaneously without forming any passage openings. Thus, a valve according to the invention can also be configured such that a valve position without passage openings can be controlled, whereby the valve is completely closed.

The valve housing of a valve according to the invention can also be designed and arranged on its inside as one of the at least two separating devices and accordingly at least one separating device can be substantially sealed against this inside of the valve housing.

Smooth-running valves according to the invention are not dependent on a specific embodiment with regard to the separating devices and their relative adjustability to one another. The valve housing, the at least one actuating device, and the at least two separating devices can be arranged, designed, and configured such that the separating devices can be adjusted radially relative to one another (as shown in the following diagrams). 2 to 8 ), or axially, or radially and axially, or adjustable by displacement in a plane.

In valves according to the invention, it is possible for the area of potential through-openings for a specific inlet/outlet opening, including the associated recessed bridges arranged between them, to extend over a region that goes beyond the access to this inlet/outlet opening. For such valves according to the invention, a simple solution is to design and arrange at least one connecting channel between the outer surface of the through-openings of the outer separating device (arranged for this at least one inlet/outlet opening) and the corresponding inlet/outlet opening. In particular, this allows large volume flows to be achieved with small valve bodies.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of a valve according to the invention, at least one of the separating devices is designed as a circular arc. For the purposes of this patent application, a circular arc always refers to a thick-walled hollow cylinder. in which – viewed from the front face – a portion of the ring-shaped circle is missing, and which, due to its wall thickness, thus appears, viewed from the front face, as a ring-shaped arc. The missing arc portion preferably forms a recess for a device, for example, as an adjusting device recess for arranging at least one adjusting device – as in the 2 , 5 and 6 shown - trained or simultaneously additionally - as in the 3 and 4 shown - as a combined adjusting-pressing device recess for arranging a combined adjusting-pressing device or alternatively - as in 8 Shown – as a pure clamping device recess for the arrangement of a clamping device. Additionally, through-holes and recess bridges are also arranged in such circular arcs as separating devices. When a combined adjusting and clamping device is arranged, or when a pure clamping device is arranged in the device recess of a separating device designed as a circular arc, it is necessary that such a separating device be elastically designed to withstand radial forces. This allows the force exerted by a clamping device to be redirected and lead to an increase in clamping pressure on the entire separating device. With reduced force exerted by a clamping device, the separating devices can be positioned/adjusted more easily relative to each other due to the reduced clamping pressure.

Designing a separating device as a hollow cylinder can also be necessary or advantageous, particularly if this separating device is fixedly arranged in the valve housing. Such a separating device as a hollow cylinder also has the necessary passage openings. It can also additionally have a device recess, for example, an adjusting device recess for an adjusting device, as in 7 As shown. In such designs, the use of a stretchable material in the area of the device recess can be advantageous. Then, if the remaining hollow cylinder is also radially elastic, the device recess could be designed as either a combined adjusting and clamping device recess or a purely clamping device recess.

The contacting areas of the separating devices of the valves according to the invention can preferably be coated – on one or both sides – with a material that provides a better seal than the separating devices would without this coating, while still allowing the separating devices to slide relatively easily against each other even with less pressure. In the case of a one-sided coating, it would be advantageous if the coating were softer – for example, rubber – and if the surface of the other separating device in contact with this coating had small raised lines on its surface; these raised lines would press much more deeply into the softer coating than larger surfaces under the same pressure and thus seal very effectively. Alternatively, the surface of the separating devices could be designed/structured in such a way as to minimize overflow.

In a preferred embodiment of a valve according to the invention, the separating devices and/or the adjusting devices and/or the clamping devices in the valve housing are designed and arranged to be wholly or partially interchangeable. This allows both defective parts and parts with a slightly different design to be replaced. For example, if adjustment is to be made even easier, a slightly different clamping device can be installed. Alternatively, other separating devices with, for example, larger passage openings and a corresponding adjusting device can be used. Or other separating devices that allow different opening and closing combinations for the inlet/outlet openings can be used.

Brief description of the drawings

Further objectives, features, advantages, and possible applications of the valve according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. All features described and/or illustrated, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of their inclusion in individual claims or their cross-references.

Implementation of the invention

In 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a fluid storage tank 17 with a fluid storage valve 10. Sections of the piping system into which the fluid storage tank 17 with the fluid storage valve 10 is integrated are also shown. Such fluid storage tanks 17 with two separate fluid quantities – a hot water quantity in the hot water chamber 18 and a cold water quantity in the cold water chamber 19 – are used, among other things, in... EP1617097B1 and EP12159873.4 known. Using such fluid storage units 17 according to this 1 This enables a rapid supply of hot water at the hot water outlet 24 without requiring the hot water pipe 21 to be constantly filled with hot water. Since the temperature of the water flowing from the hot water pipe 21 may change rapidly, the fluid storage valve 10 must react accordingly quickly and precisely. The valve can switch between different configurations. This is not possible with previously known multi-way valves, or only with a very powerful motor. For clarity, other necessary components such as the valve actuator, temperature sensor, electronic control unit, etc., have been omitted here; a schematic detail view of valve 10 follows in [section/document]. 2 .

1. I.: Kaltwasserleitungsanschluss und Zulauf zur KWK geöffnet. Kaltes Wasser aus der Kaltwasserleitung 22 kann in die Kaltwasserkammer strömen.
2. II.: Warmwasserleitungsanschluss und Zulauf zur KWK geöffnet. Kaltes Wasser aus der Warmwasserleitung 21 kann in die Warmwasserkammer strömen.
3. III.: Warmwasserleitungsanschluss und Zulauf zur WWK geöffnet. Warmes Wasser aus der Warmwasserleitung 21 kann in die Warmwasserkammer strömen.

The operating principle of such fluid storage devices in such systems according to the patents EP1617097B1 and EP12159873.4 can be found here. Valve 10 of this 1 must be able to switch quickly between the following configurations:

1. I.: Cold water supply connection and inlet to the CHP unit are open. Cold water from cold water line 22 can flow into the cold water chamber.
2. II.: Hot water pipe connection and inlet to the CHP unit are open. Cold water from hot water pipe 21 can flow into the hot water chamber.
3. III.: Hot water pipe connection and inlet to the hot water chamber are open. Hot water from hot water pipe 21 can flow into the hot water chamber.

In 2 A schematic detail view of a cross-section of a fluid storage valve is shown, illustrating the possible configurations of through-holes 3 to 1 fits. In 2a This is constellation I. according to the explanations regarding 1 Given. Accordingly, through-openings 3 for connecting the cold water line (KWL) to the supply opening 5a and through-openings 3 for connecting the cold water chamber (KWK) to the discharge opening 5b are controlled. The white dot in the actuating device 6 represents the actuating device adjustment axis. In 2b Is the adjusting device 6 compared to 2a slightly rotated clockwise, which can be seen from the new position of the adjusting device axis. This also shifted/rotated the inner separating device 2a clockwise; the separating device 2b is a fixed component of the valve housing 4 and therefore cannot be moved. This slight clockwise rotation results in configuration II, as described in [reference to] 1 The following conditions are now met. Thus, the inlet opening 5a to the cold water line (CWL) is closed and the inlet opening 5d to the hot water line (HWL) is open, while the outlet opening 5b to the cold water chamber remains open. Cold water from the hot water line is thus directed into the cold water chamber (CHC). A further slight rotation of the adjusting device 6 leads, according to... 2c Finally, let's consider constellation III. In this constellation III, warm water from the hot water pipe (WWL) can now flow into the hot water chamber (WWK) of the fluid storage tank.

By dividing the flow path into four passage openings 3 for each inlet/outlet opening 5a to 5d, only very short actuation paths are required. Such short actuation paths, in turn, make it possible to arrange such a relatively small actuating device practically within a cutout of the inner separating device, thus enabling easy and quick adjustment of the fluid storage valve 10 with minimal effort.

In 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a valve/fluid storage valve according to the invention. This valve has a total of four inlet/outlet openings 5a to 5d, wherein fluid can be supplied to or discharged from the rear or front into the center of the valve through the inlet/outlet opening 5a – indicated here only by the number 5a for illustrative purposes. The supply to or discharge from the valve through the inlet/outlet opening 5a is thus not controlled by a separating device. For clarity, as in the following figures, not all openings 1 and recess bridges 8 are numbered; however, all openings 1 and recess bridges 8 are easily identifiable. The valve housing 4 is shown in this figure. 3 The inner side of the valve housing 4 is formed as a separating device 2a. Thus, the outer recess bridges 8, as part of the separating device 2a, are also part of the inner side of the valve housing 4. The second separating device 2b essentially seals against the inner side of the valve housing 4 as separating device 2a. The narrow gap between the separating device 2b and the inner side of the valve housing 4 as separating device 2a serves in the figures only to illustrate the distinction between the separating devices 2b and 2a. At the inlet/outlet opening 5b, the following overlap: 3 The four passage openings 1 of each of the two separating devices 2a and 2b are completely closed, thus forming four maximally large, or maximally open, passage openings. No passage openings 3 are formed at the inlet/outlet openings 5c and 5d, as the recess bridges 8 of separating device 2b cover the passage openings 1 of separating device 2a, and vice versa. Therefore, no fluid can flow through the inlet/outlet openings 5c and 5d. With regard to the flow direction of the fluid when flowing in or out through the passage openings 3, only two separating devices 2a and 2b are arranged one behind the other as an example. The inside of the valve housing 4, as separating device 2a, is designed as a hollow cylinder. This separating device Although direction 2a has a total of twelve passage openings 1, since these do not extend across the entire width of the separating device 2a, the separating device 2a is not interrupted. In this embodiment, the adjusting device 6 is additionally designed as a clamping device 16; the adjusting device axis 7 and the clamping device adjustment axis 13 are in the same position.

The adjusting device 6 and the pressing device 16 are located with their adjusting axes in the adjusting device recess 12 and pressing device recess 14, respectively, as device recess 11, wherein the two device recesses 11, adjusting device recess 12 and pressing device recess 13 are in this 3 For clarity, reference numerals have not been used. The same applies to the two contact areas 15 at both ends of the separating device 2b. These missing reference numerals and their assignment can be seen in the enlarged partial illustration according to [reference number]. 4d on these 3 transferred, or taken over for consideration.

The separating device 2b is interrupted in the area of the two device recesses 11 and thus forms a circular arc which is elastically designed to withstand radial forces. Moving parts are located in this 3 The combined adjusting device 6 - clamping device 16, rotatable about the two axes adjusting device axis 7 and clamping device adjustment axis 13, which have the same position, and the separating device 2b. The relative position of the two separating devices 2a and 2b to each other can be reversibly adjusted by adjusting the separating device 2b, which leads to 4 is explained and refers to this 3 is transferable.

The actuator 6 is in this 3 not circular, so that it also serves as a pressure device 16. Further explanations will follow in the subsequent figures, which refer to these 3 are transferable.

In this 3 For all inlet/outlet openings 5b, 5c, and 5d, it is possible to control four passage openings 3 each. If there were only one passage opening, but four times as large, a four times greater adjustment range of the separating device 2b would be necessary for the same opening size. A valve according to the invention can be adjusted four times faster with the same force applied to the actuating device. Alternatively, for the same speed of adjustment, the actuating device 6 can be moved—here, rotated—more slowly, which, with a suitable gear ratio or lever arm, requires correspondingly less force. These effects already occur as a halving or doubling with at least two controllable passage openings 3 and increase accordingly with a greater number of controllable passage openings 3.

Depending on the intended use, not every controllable inlet/outlet opening of a valve according to the invention requires the same number of possible passage openings 3. Depending on the desired maximum flow rate, the number of passage openings can be selected appropriately while maintaining the same passage opening size.

Due to the small adjustment ranges of the separating device 2b, in an embodiment similar to the one in this 3 Even more inlet/outlet openings may be arranged, especially with even smaller through-holes. 1. In this 3 The recess bridges 8 are at least twice the size of the openings 1. This is due to the number of inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d and is necessary here because the inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d can only be fully opened individually. The minimum required size ratio of openings to recess bridges is essentially determined by the number of inlet/outlet openings and the opening system – how many and which inlet/outlet openings should be able to be opened simultaneously or individually; possibly also the complete closing of all inlet/outlet openings. The exact arrangement of the openings and recess bridges of the various inlet/outlet openings is also essentially determined by the desired sequence of opening and closing the various inlet/outlet openings and whether, and which, can be opened or closed simultaneously; the relevant inlet/outlet openings do not have to be arranged next to each other.

The smaller the passage openings 1 are, with a correspondingly larger number, the more adjustment or setting options are available for the manufacture or design of a valve according to the invention.

In 4 Schematic representations of the cross-section of another valve/fluid storage valve according to the invention are shown. The structure of this valve essentially corresponds to the structure of the valve according to [reference to relevant document]. 3 . In this 4 However, the separating device 2a is an independent component and is not formed by the inside of the valve housing 4. The small gap between the separating device 2a and the inside of the valve housing 4 is merely for illustrative purposes. In reality, the separating device 2a essentially seals in the same position at all times. inside of the valve housing 4. In a valve housing 4 which can be opened, the separating devices 2a and 2b, the actuating device 6 and the pressing device 16 can be designed and arranged in a completely or partially interchangeable manner.

In 4a The same valve position is depicted as in 3 and to 3 described. Also in this 4 The adjusting device 6 is additionally designed as a clamping device 16 and is arranged in the combined clamping device recess 14 and adjusting device recess 12. The adjusting device 6's function as a clamping device 16 results from its shape, which corresponds to a square with rounded corners. This means that, depending on the position of the clamping device 16, the contact areas 15 are positioned at different distances from each other. If a diagonal of the rounded square lies between the contact areas 15, as shown in 4a As shown, these contact areas 15 of the radially elastic separating device 2b are pushed further apart by this radial force. This results in the separating device 2b fitting more firmly and thus sealing better against the separating device 2a. This should preferably be the case for all intended valve positions, which is the case in this embodiment. 4 This is made possible by the combined component adjusting device 6 and pressure device 16. However, the form of the combined adjusting-pressure device shown here is only an example and depends, among other things, on the number of target valve positions, the desired contact pressures, and the desired reduction in contact pressure during an adjustment process. (See partial view.) 4d The details in the area of the adjusting device 6 of this 4a to 4c more easily recognizable and provided with reference symbols, which are used at the 4a to 4c They have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

During adjustment – here, rotation about the combined adjusting device axis 7 and clamping device adjustment axis 13 – of the combined adjusting-clamping device, the minimum distance between the contact areas 15 of the separating device 2b decreases, since a diagonal no longer acts as the longest possible distance between the contact areas 15. Due to the resulting lower radial force acting on the contact areas 15 of the radially elastic separating device 2b, the frictional resistance between the separating devices 2a and 2b is also reduced, making it easier to adjust separating device 2b radially relative to separating device 2a. This adjustment results from rotating the adjusting device 6 about the adjusting device axis 7, as the distances between the adjusting device axis 7 and the contact areas 15 on both sides now change, which in turn corresponds to a displacement of separating device 2b relative to separating device 2a.

In the 4b and 4c For clarity, valve housing 4 is no longer shown. 4b The valve is now in its next target valve position. The upper passage recesses 1 now overlap, forming corresponding passage openings 3. This radial adjustment of the separating device 2b was achieved by rotating the adjusting device 6 90 degrees counterclockwise around the adjusting device adjustment axis 7. In this position, a diagonal of the clamping device 16 lies between the contact areas 15 of the separating device 2b, allowing the clamping device 16 to exert its maximum possible radial force. This, in turn, leads to a greater contact pressure from the separating device 2b onto the separating device 2a, and thus to a tighter seal between the separating device 2b and the separating device 2a.

In 4c The adjusting device 6 has been rotated a further 90 degrees counterclockwise around the adjusting device adjustment axis 7. Accordingly, the separating device 2b has been adjusted, and the passage openings 3 have now formed at the right-hand passage recesses 1. This also represents a target valve position with a correspondingly higher contact pressure and a tighter fit of the separating device 2b against the separating device 2a.

In 4d is only a partial view of the 4 The illustration serves to more clearly show the shape of the adjusting device 6, which is additionally designed as a clamping device 16, and its arrangement in the adjusting device recess 12 and clamping device recess 14 as device recesses 11, whereby the combined adjusting-clamping device is arranged between the two contact areas 15 of the separating device 2b. However, a device recess 11 can – unlike in the 1 to 3 and 5 - may also be designed merely as an actuating device recess 12 for the arrangement of an actuating device 6, as in the 5 , 6 and 7 Furthermore, the device recess 11 can also be designed solely as a clamping device recess 14 for the arrangement of a clamping device 16. With such a design and a suitably appropriate arrangement of the passage recesses 1 and other necessary modifications, the adjustment of the separating device can be effected, for example, by axial displacement.

By arranging a controllable device in a device recess 11 - as an adjusting device recess 12 and/or a pressing device recess 14 - a reversibly In the adjustable separating device 2b, which is designed as a circular arc, a force exerted by the controllable device – regardless of whether it is designed as an adjusting device 6 and/or a pressing device 16 – on the contact areas 15 acts far from the pivot point of the separating device 2b in the center of the valve and thus in the immediate vicinity of the separating device 2a, against which the separating device 2b is pressed and/or relative to which the separating device 2b is to be adjusted. This results in a relatively small force being required for adjustment. Furthermore, an adjusting device 6 and/or a pressing device 16 can act like a transmission when converting the rotary motion into a contact pressure or an adjustment motion; the shape and (average) diameter of the adjusting device 6 and/or the pressing device 16 can have a favorable effect on the force required for adjustment, particularly through small changes in curvature.

Instead of rotatable pressing and/or adjusting devices, axially displaceable pressing and/or adjusting devices can also be arranged in device recesses 11 and act on the contact areas 15. This applies generally to valves/fluid storage valves according to the invention.

With a different design and arrangement of the passage openings 1, recess bridges 8, and actuating/pressing device, the separating device 2b could also be controlled such that no passage openings 3 are formed in a valve position, i.e., the valve is completely closed. Furthermore, the opening sequence to the various inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d could also be modified. Likewise, the passage openings to different inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d could be opened simultaneously and, if necessary, additionally individually. The size of the passage openings 1 and recess bridges 8 may need to be modified. The fact that the passage openings 1 are of the same size in the previous figures is purely coincidental. The remarks in this paragraph regarding the sequence and possible combinations with adapted passage openings 1, recess bridges 8, and actuating device 6 apply to all valves according to the invention.

In 5 Figure 1 shows again a schematic representation of the cross-section of a valve according to the invention. The actuating device 6 is shown here – as in Figure 2. 2 - but only as an example designed as an adjusting device 6, since the completely round design of the adjusting device 6 ensures that the distance between the contact areas is the same in all possible positions of the adjusting device 6. Otherwise, the detailed illustrations regarding the area of the adjusting device 6 are as follows: 4 in essence, this 5 transferable.

This valve according to 5 Unlike the preceding figures, this figure features additional connecting channels 9. Furthermore, different numbers of flow openings 3 can be controlled for various inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d. Inlet/outlet opening 5b is assigned six possible flow openings 3, and inlet/outlet openings 5c and 5d each have four. Due to the size of the flow openings 1 and the opening bridges 8, the resulting flow areas are, for example, larger than the width of the corresponding inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d. This is due to the width of the opening bridges 8 and the flow openings 1. However, the connecting channels 9 between the separating device 2a and the valve housing 4 still allow a suitable volume flow to or from the respective inlet/outlet openings 5b to 5d.

In 6 is a schematic representation of a separating device 2 - comparable in structure to the separating devices 2b of the 3 , 4 and 5 Figure 1 shows a valve according to the invention with an actuating device 6 and an actuating device adjustment shaft 7. Since the actuating device 6 is round, it acts exclusively as an actuating device 6 and is not a combined actuating and clamping device. The separating device 2 is designed as a circular arc. Since it is not spread to varying degrees by a clamping device, it does not need to be radially elastic. The actuating device 6 contacts the contact areas 15 at both ends of the separating device 2 and is thus arranged in the device recess 11, which in this case is an actuating device recess 12, but not a clamping device recess 14. The separating device 2 is shown here, by way of example, completely interrupted in the area of the actuating device recess 12 as a device recess 11. The actuating device adjustment shaft 7 is rotatably arranged in a fixed position in the valve housing and is fixedly connected to the actuating device 6; it therefore cannot rotate in the actuating device 6. If the actuator adjustment axis 7 is turned - for example manually or by electric motor - the distances between the actuator adjustment axis 7 and the contact areas 15 change, which in turn moves the separating device 6 and adjusts the valve.

In such an arrangement without a clamping device and with a separating device 2 designed as a circular arc, it is nevertheless advantageous if this device is radially elastic. Inserting the radially elastic separating device 2 into the valve housing, or onto other separating devices, is then easier. The necessary or The desired contact pressure between the separating devices is relatively easy to achieve by installing a corresponding pressure-increasing adjusting device 6 - in this example the 6 to be achieved by an adjusting device 6 with a correspondingly large diameter.

In 7 Figure 1 shows a further schematic representation of a separating device 2 of a valve according to the invention, with an actuating device 6 and an actuating device adjustment axis 7. The actuating device 6 is again arranged in an actuating device recess 12 as a device recess 11, which, however, could not be sufficiently well provided with reference numerals in the figure, which is why these are missing. Due to the uninterrupted design of this separating device 2 in the area of the actuating device recess 12, it can be considered/designated as a hollow cylinder. Thus, such a separating device 2 is, in principle, not radially elastic. The same applies with regard to the adjustment as described in Figure 11. 6 The actuating device adjustment shaft 7 is rotatably arranged in a fixed position within the valve housing and is rigidly connected to the actuating device 6; it therefore cannot rotate within the actuating device 6. If the actuating device adjustment shaft 7 is rotated – for example, manually or by an electric motor – the distances between the actuating device adjustment shaft 7 and the contact areas 15 change, which in turn moves the separating device 6 and adjusts the valve.

However, if an elastic material is chosen in the area of the adjusting device recess / the adjusting device 6 for the separating device 2, then such a separating device 2 designed as a hollow cylinder can also be radially elastic.

In the 8a and 8b Further schematic representations of a separating device 2 of a valve according to the invention, designed as a circular arc, are shown, comprising an actuating device 6 with an actuating device adjustment axis 7 and a clamping device 16 with a clamping device adjustment axis 13. The actuating device 6 is shown here as an example of a round shape, and the clamping device 16 as an elliptical shape. The passage recesses 1 are arranged horizontally and thus at right angles to the clamping device adjustment axis 13, since the separating device 2 is designed, arranged, and configured to be axially displaceable relative to the clamping device adjustment axis 13 by means of the actuating device 6. The positions of the actuating device adjustment axis 7 and the clamping device adjustment axis 13 are again fixed in the valve housing. The clamping device 16 and the actuating device 6 are again not rigidly connected to the separating device 2. It would be advantageous if the adjusting device 6 and the pressing device 16 were mechanically coupled, arranged, and configured for rotary motion, preferably via gears on their adjusting axes. For clarity, in this 8 a corresponding representation was omitted.

In 8a The valve/separating device 2 is in its intended valve position, which is why the elliptical pressure device 16 presses with its main axis against the contact areas 15, thus maximizing the contact pressure. This ensures the highest possible seal between the essentially sealing separating devices in this intended valve position. The current position of the actuating device 6 is such that the actuating device adjustment axis 7 – which is fixed but not centrally located within the actuating device 6 – is situated centrally and at the bottom of the actuating device 6.

In 8b The valve/separating device 2 is within an adjustment process. The adjusting device 6 has so far been - in comparison to 8a - rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise via the actuator adjustment axis 7. The pressure device 16 was also rotated 90 degrees. Therefore, the pressure device 16 currently only presses on the contact areas 15 via the secondary axis of the ellipse, which is why the contact pressure is lower, but so is the frictional resistance and thus also the force required to adjust the valve to the next target valve position at the actuator 6. In this state, the valve may not be optimally sealed in the direction of the closed inlet/outlet openings; however, due to the low required adjustment force and – due to multiple passage openings for each inlet/outlet opening – short adjustment travel, this adjustment process is quick and the valve is only in this transitional adjustment state for a very short time, even with, for example, relatively small/weak electric motors. The actuator 6 has the separating device 2 compared to 8a already pressed down halfway. In the remaining step of controlling the next target valve position, the actuating device 6 would rotate a further 90 degrees counterclockwise, thus pressing the separating device 2 further downwards, and the pressure device 16 would be returned to a position such that the pressure device 16 exerts the maximum possible force on the contact areas 15 via its main axis and thus a maximum contact pressure between the separating devices.

For clarity, the adjusting device 6, but especially the clamping device 16, are shown here in an oversized manner. Also for this reason, this illustration is limited to... The game is based on a valve with only two target valve positions.

Reference symbol list

1

Passage recess

2, 2a, 2b

Separating device

3

Passage opening

4

Valve housing

5a to 5d

Inlet/outlet openings

6

Actuator

7

Actuator adjustment axis

8

Recess bridges

9

Connection channel

10

Fluid storage valve, valve

11

Device recess

12

Actuator recess

13

pressure device adjustment axis

14

Pressing device recess

15

Contact area

16

pressure device

17

Fluid storage

18

Hot water chamber (WWK)

19

Cold water chamber (CHP)

20

Piston, separating device

21

Hot water pipe (HW)

22

Cold water pipe (CV)

23

Circulation line (CL)

24

Hot water tap

25

Non-return valve, check valve

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1617097B1 [0003, 0035, 0036]

Claims (16)

Fluid accumulator (17) with at least one fluid accumulator valve (10), wherein the fluid accumulator (17) is integrated into a piping system via at least three connections and at least two of these at least three connections are reversibly connected and configured to at least one line of the piping system via the at least one fluid accumulator valve (10), the fluid accumulator valve (10) has a valve housing (4), at least one actuating device (6), at least three inlet/outlet openings (5a to 5d) and at least two separating devices (2a, 2b) that are substantially sealing against each other, characterized in that - at least one of the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) is reversibly adjustable in its relative position to at least one further separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) - the at least two separating devices (2a, 2b) have passage openings (1) - at least two separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) - with respect to the flow direction of the fluid in a Inlet/outlet through the passage openings (3) - arranged one behind the other - the passage recesses (1) are designed and arranged in the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) such that - through the essentially sealingly adjacent separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) - passage openings (3) can be formed by means of at least partially overlapping passage recesses (1) - at least one of the at least one reversibly adjustable separating device (2, 2a, 2b) has at least one device recess (11) and in this at least one device recess (11) a controllable device for reversibly acting on the separating device (2, 2a, 2b) is arranged and set up, wherein the controllable device is not fixed to the separating device (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the at least one device recess (11) is designed as an adjusting device recess (12) and in this recess a controllable adjusting device (6) for reversibly adjusting the relative position of the at least one separating device (2, 2a, 2b) which is reversibly adjustable in its relative position to at least one further separating device (2, 2a, 2b) is arranged and set up, wherein the controllable adjusting device (6) is not fixed to the separating device (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) according to one or both of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the at least one actuating device (6) is rotatably arranged in the actuating device recess (12) of the separating device (2, 2a, 2b) about its actuating device adjustment axis (7) which is not centrally arranged with respect to the actuating device (6). Fluid storage valve (10) after one or both of the Claims 1 and 2 , characterized in that at least one of the at least one adjusting device (6) is arranged axially displaceable along its adjusting device adjustment axis (7) in the adjusting device recess (12) of the separating device (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) according to Claim 1 characterized in that at least one of the at least one device recess (11) is designed as a pressure device recess (14) and in this recess a controllable pressure device (16) for reversibly controlling a pressure force on the at least one reversibly adjustable separation device (2, 2a, 2b) is arranged and configured such that a pressure force can be reversibly controlled between the substantially sealing separation devices (2, 2a, 2b) and/or between at least one separation device (2, 2a, 2b) that is substantially sealing against the inside of the valve housing (4) and the inside of the valve housing (4), wherein the controllable pressure device (16) is not fixedly connected to the reversibly adjustable separation device (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that at least one of the at least one pressing device (16) is rotatably arranged about its pressing device adjustment axis (13) in the pressing device recess (14) of the separating device (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that at least one of the at least one pressing device (16) is arranged axially displaceable along its pressing device adjustment axis (13) in the pressing device recess (14) of the separating device (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) after one or more of the Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that at least one of the at least one adjusting device (6) additionally serves as a pressure plate direction (16) is formed, arranged and set up. Fluid storage valve (10) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the at least one adjusting device (6), which is also designed and arranged as a pressure device (16), is designed and arranged such that the position of the pressure device adjusting axis (13) corresponds to the position of the adjusting device adjusting axis (7). Fluid storage valve (10) after one or more of the Claims 2 until 4 , 8 and 9 , characterized in that - between the passage openings (1) of the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) recess bridges (8) are arranged - the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b), the passage openings (1), the recess bridges (8) and the at least one adjusting device (6) are arranged, designed and configured such that the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) can be reversibly positioned relative to each other by means of the at least one adjusting device (6) for at least one of the inlet/outlet openings (5a to 5d) simultaneously forming at least two passage openings (3). Fluid storage valve (10) after one or more of the Claims 2 until 4 , 8 and 9 , characterized in that the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b), the passage recesses (1), the recess bridges (8) and the at least one actuating device (6) are arranged, designed and configured such that the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) can be reversibly positioned relative to each other by means of at least one actuating device (6) for at least one of the inlet/outlet openings (5a to 5d) without forming passage openings (3) at the same time. Fluid storage valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve housing (4) is designed and arranged on its inside as one of the at least two separating devices (2, 2a, 2b). Fluid storage valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connecting channel (9) is formed and arranged between the outside of the passage recesses (1) of the outer separating device (2, 2a, 2b) arranged for at least one of the inlet/outlet openings (5a to 5d) and the corresponding inlet/outlet opening (5a to 5d). Fluid storage valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) is designed as a circular arc. Fluid storage valve (10) according to Claim 14 , characterized in that the at least one separating device (2, 2a, 2b) designed as a circular arc is elastically designed for radial force effects. Fluid storage valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the separating devices (2, 2a, 2b) is designed as a hollow cylinder.