EP0874201B1 - Assembly for a compact heating installation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a structural unit for a compact heating system, especially for a gas boiler with two heating circuits, one for the Space heating and one for water heating.

These types of units are increasingly used in compact heating systems, especially installed in gas heaters or heating units. In addition to the centrifugal pump unit, they usually include other components, such as air separators, safety valves, Changeover valve and the like. They are as a unit, i.e. H. as built-in and assembly unit designed so that a simple and space-saving Arrangement within the heating system is guaranteed. Furthermore such a unit is easy to install and maintain, because access to the otherwise narrow is only available at a few central points Installation space must be guaranteed and otherwise in the case of repairs the unit is completely replaced and at the factory or elsewhere be overhauled by the specialist and reused can.

One unit, having the features of the preamble of claim 1, is known for example from EP 0 460 399 A2. This known unit is intended for a gas boiler, the two Heating circuits included, one for water heating and one for space heating, both of which are heated by a common gas Primary heat exchangers are supplied with heat. This well-known The unit is for installation in the flow of the primary heat exchanger provided and accordingly has a subsequent to this lead Intake and two discharge ports on the two heating circuits are connected. This unit also has an air separator on, which is connected to a backflow chamber through which the return lines of the heating circuits are routed through the unit. In addition, there is a changeover flap in this known structural unit provided between the pump outlet and the two pressure ports, depending on the direction of rotation of the impeller is controlled.

Such a unit known from EP 0 460 399 A2 has fundamentally proven, but can cause problems in special cases. So the switching force on the switching flap is not very high, which is already the case with low contamination in the system can lead to the fact that it does not switches more reliably. The reversal of the direction of rotation of the impeller causes moreover, that at least in one direction of rotation with significantly worse Efficiency is promoted as usual. Also the repeat Carrying out the return streams through the unit for the purpose of Venting requires additional piping in this area, which means the assembly effort is increased.

From US 4 940 473 A is a combined air / dirt separator with one known essentially cylindrical housing in which the air separator arranged at the top and the dirt separator at the bottom in the housing are. This is connected via side line connections, separate piping within a heating system is therefore required.

In view of this prior art, the object of the invention is a generic unit for a compact heating system so to continue training that they can be used for a long time with little maintenance is reliably operable, the unit should continue as possible have a compact shape and are as inexpensive to manufacture as possible his. This object is achieved according to the invention by those listed in claim 1 Features solved. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the subclaims and in the description below specified.

An essential constructive feature of the invention is that for a dirt separator is also provided in addition to the air separator which is the deposits circulated within a flow removed from the circuit and thus for the operational safety of the contributes to the entire system, and with an air separator is arranged in a common housing that is location-oriented is arranged. And this must the dirt separator and housing having the air separator arranged substantially vertically be so that the air is up and the dirt is down can escape. Such a vertical arrangement in a common Housing is also particularly cheap because the main lines in this area, for example a gas boiler, in the same Direction run, which takes up little space. In addition, there is almost inevitably on the top and bottom This housing also has a free space in the installation position, Put on a quick breather and can be used below Keep dirt collection container accessible even when installed. constructive the structural unit according to the invention is also for inclusion provided in the return, resulting in a lower thermal Strain on the components leads and moreover less susceptible to is cavitation-related noise. Through this integration in the return it is also ensured that dirt and air from the heating circuit (the radiators), before entering the Centrifugal pump unit are eliminated and thus its function cannot interfere.

A particularly compact unit is formed in that the Switching element in the area between dirt separator and air separator is arranged, according to the present invention expediently not both heating circuits through dirt and air separators be led, but expediently only for the heating circuit provided by the dirt separator and both heating circuits or one of these heating circuits through the air separator. Because both heating circuits at least in the area of the primary heat exchanger air separation is sufficient and dirt in just one cycle. It is useful to Dirt separator in the return of the heating circuit for space heating to arrange, since experience has shown that this is the most common Dirt accumulates. To prevent this dirt from entering the Area of the switching element or the pump, the Dirt separator is suitably arranged in front of it. Accordingly, becomes the suction nozzle leading to the heating circuit for space heating Advantageously connect to the dirt separator on the side.

If the switching element in the area between dirt and air separators is arranged, then it is advisable to which leads to the heating circuit for water heating, in Area of this switching element to be connected. With one The arrangement ensures that the backflow from both heating circuits Water is still fed to the air separator before it reached the pump set. An air separation of both circuits can be useful, although it is generally sufficient to have one Circuit, namely to vent the heating circuit for space heating. The additional ventilation of the heating circuit for water heating through the air separator is therefore particularly of Advantage because the ventilation is independent of the operation of the room heating is guaranteed. Such a constellation results, for example in summer when the room heating is switched off and the system is only used for water heating.

The side arrangement of the suction nozzle on the dirt separator and the air separator housing is therefore so advantageous because the connections are easily accessible is. In the case of a gas boiler, for example, the unit Usually mounted so that the free end of the engine after points in front, while the actual pump and the one behind it Components arranged between the mounting wall and the engine are. This area is narrow and difficult to access.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the switching element is designed as a switching flap. To have sufficiently high switching forces and therefore a reliable one To ensure function, an electromagnet is used to control the Switch flap integrated in the assembly. In addition to high operational reliability and reliability of such an electromagnetically operated Switch flap, which are otherwise installed in any position can also operate the pump with high efficiency, since a reversal of the direction of rotation is not necessary is.

Since dirt and air separators in a common housing in the substantially vertical installation position, it is advisable that the centrifugal pump unit is arranged next to the air separator is because then the one emerging from the air separator Liquid can be supplied to the pump in the shortest possible way.

The dirt separator is expediently used as a cyclone separator formed with a removable vessel on the underside of the Housing should be provided in which the dirt collects and that can be emptied.

The air separator, on the other hand, is advantageously used as a gravity separator trained so that the arrangement of the air separator at the top End of the common housing supports its function and itself result in only short flow paths within the unit.

The connection between the suction mouth of the pump and the air separator can through an approximately radially arranged opening of the air separator be formed, which opens into the suction port of the pump. The common Housing in which dirt separators and air separators as well possibly also the switching element are arranged, enables a extremely space-saving design with short flow paths. In further connections can be provided in the common housing be, for example for receiving an overflow valve and Inclusion of a pressure relief valve. The connection for the overflow valve is connected to the boiler supply line. The pressure relief valve either opens into the open or is via a hose fed to a drain line or a collecting vessel.

Instead of the arranged between dirt and air separator Switching element, this can also be arranged next to it. Then be Dirt and air separators expediently through a Common cylindrical housing formed, the lower part of the Dirt separator and its upper part receives the air separator. Then the cable routing is expediently such that Dirt and air separators in the heating circuit for space heating are arranged and upstream of the switching element or the pump are.

Fig. 1:

in stark vereinfachter Darstellung ein Schaltbild einer Gastherme mit einer ersten Ausführung der erfindungsgemäßen Baueinheit,

Fig. 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Baueinheit nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht wie Fig. 2, jedoch aus entgegengesetzter Richtung,

Fig. 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2 mit im Längsschnitt dargestellten Schmutz- und Luftabscheider,

Fig. 5:

ein Schaltbild gemäß Fig. 1 mit einer anderen Ausführung der Baueinheit,

Fig. 6:

eine Ansicht der Baueinheit gemäß Fig. 5 in Einbaulage vom Motor aus,

Fig. 7:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Baueinheit ohne Pumpe in um 90° gedrehter Lage,

Fig. 8:

einen Längsschnitt durch den Schmutz- und Luftabscheider und

Fig. 9:

einen Schnitt durch die Baueinheit längs der Drehachse der Pumpe.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1:

in a highly simplified representation, a circuit diagram of a gas boiler with a first embodiment of the structural unit according to the invention,

Fig. 2:

2 shows a perspective view of the assembly according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3:

3 shows a perspective view like FIG. 2, but from the opposite direction,

Fig. 4:

2 with a dirt and air separator shown in longitudinal section,

Fig. 5:

1 with another embodiment of the structural unit,

Fig. 6:

5 in the installed position from the engine,

Fig. 7:

a perspective view of the assembly without a pump in a position rotated by 90 °,

Fig. 8:

a longitudinal section through the dirt and air separator and

Fig. 9:

a section through the assembly along the axis of rotation of the pump.

The heating system shown in Fig. 1 consists essentially of a gas-heated primary heat exchanger 1, a secondary heat exchanger 2 for water heating and a secondary heat exchanger 3 for space heating (radiators). The secondary heat exchangers 2, 3 form essential components of heating circuits that are brought together in the area of the primary heat exchanger 1 and can be controlled and circulated via a unit 4.

The assembly 4 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 in detail and contains a centrifugal pump unit with an electric drive motor 5 and a driven centrifugal pump 6, the is firmly connected to the electric motor 5 via a flange 7. In addition, the structural unit 4 contains a dirt separator 8 and an air separator 9 and a switching element 10 in the form of a Electromagnetically controlled switching flap.

The function of such a heating system is known per se. in the pure space heating operation becomes liquid in the primary heat exchanger 1 (boiler) heated, for example, by burning gas. The Liquid reaches radiators through a pipe system the space heating, which is shown in Fig. 1 as a secondary heat exchanger 3 are. The cooled back from the radiators In unit 4, water first gets into a dirt separator 8, then in an air separator 9 and finally through the Pump 6 back into the primary heat exchanger 1 for heating. The Secondary heat exchanger 2 for water heating is included out of function, which is the return line leading to the unit 4 through the switching flap 10, which is spring-loaded in this position is cordoned off.

If water is drawn from a tap 11, it will recognized by appropriate sensors and the flap 10 counter Spring force reversed with the help of an electromagnet 12. ever after configuration of the flap 10, a switchover then takes place the heating circuit for water heating or a connection thereof. Then comes back from the secondary heat exchanger 2 Water through the open flap 10 in the overlying Air separator 9, then to the pump 6 and from there to the primary heat exchanger 1 and again to the secondary heat exchanger 2, in which the water intended for extraction is heated.

The structural design of the unit 4 results in particular from the representations according to FIGS. 2 to 4. The electric motor has as is common with pump units of this type, essentially one cylindrical housing with terminal box 13 on the side in which the electrical connection cable is clamped. On the Flange 7, the centrifugal pump 6 is attached to the electric motor. The Centrifugal pump has an approximately tangentially arranged pressure nozzle 14 on and on the side facing away from the motor 5 a coaxial suction mouth arranged to the impeller axis. The suction connection of the Pump housing is extended and opens approximately tangentially in the there is a cylindrical air separator 9. The air separator is on its top by a screwed on and by means of a Seal sealed lid 15 completed, the one central Has opening 16 which for receiving a known per se Quick vent is provided. The air separator 9 is a combined one Centrifugal and gravity separators designed. The one Central inner tube 17 liquid flowing out is 180 ° deflected to then flow into the suction port of the pump 6. The air is separated upwards during this deflection process, where it escapes through the quick breather.

The inner tube 17 opens into one under the air separator 9 provided chamber 18 in which the switching flap 10 is guided. In this chamber 18 opens a suction port 19, which for connecting the Return line of the secondary heat exchanger 2 is provided. This in the chamber 18 opening free end of the suction nozzle 19 is through the force of a spring 20 locked in a side housing part acts on a lever 21, the other end of the switching flap 10 or forms force and the pressure-tight is guided by an elastic wall 22. On the spring 20 opposite side is the lever 21 by the electromagnet 12 acted upon the lever against the force of the Spring 20 moves and the flap 10 moves such that the suction nozzle 19 is connected to the chamber 18. In this position a channel 24 also opening into the chamber 18 is closed or throttled.

This channel 24 connects an inner tube 25 of the under the chamber 18th Dirt separator 8 arranged axially to the air separator 9 with the chamber 18. The dirt separator 8 has a substantially cylindrical outer housing similar to that of the air separator 9 on, which is open at the bottom and can be screwed on cup-shaped container 25 is lockable. The Dirt separator 8 is designed as a cyclone separator, accordingly there is an inlet opening approximately tangentially in the cylindrical side wall provided that the suction port 26 of the assembly 4 is formed is and for the connection of those coming from the secondary heat exchanger 3 Return line is provided.

In the embodiment shown with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 the essentially cylindrical housing of dirt separator 8 and air separator 9 through the housing surrounding the chamber 18 interrupted, the entire common housing, including that Pump housing includes, integrally formed and vertical and transverse is arranged to the impeller axis.

Connects to the chamber 18 laterally (on the left in FIG. 4) an auxiliary nozzle 27 in which a not shown in detail Pressure relief valve 28 is screwed in, its outlet to the outside opens or can be removed via a hose.

Furthermore, the back (see FIG. 3) opens approximately parallel to the impeller axis a further auxiliary connector 29, which has a not shown Overflow valve is also connected to the chamber 18. This Auxiliary connector 29 is for connection to one of the flow of the primary heat exchanger 1 coming line provided. The overflow valve, its functionality and use are known per se (protection for Boiler) is adjustable. For this is on the side of the dirt separator 8 an access opening 30 is provided into which a tool can be inserted with which the setting can be made.

The embodiment variant shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 differs differs from the above essentially in that the cable routing within the unit is different and so that the unit is designed differently. The unit is marked with 31 there. The one with the above Design of functionally matching components are identified in the same way and therefore will not be repeated in detail described.

Electric motor 5 and centrifugal pump 6 agree with the one described above Execution match. However, the suction port 33 follows the pump 6 not the air separator, but a separate one Switch flap 10 receiving housing part in which a chamber 32 is formed, in the approximately aligned with the suction port 33 of the Pump the flap 10 is guided. A wall 22 is also provided there, which a pressure-tight implementation of the lever 21 ins Guaranteed free. The lever 21 is again one-sided through the Force applied by the spring 20 and on the other hand by the of the electromagnet 12 (see FIG. 9). Open into chamber 32 both sides of the flap 10 on the one hand to the secondary heat exchanger 2 leading suction nozzle 19 and on the other hand an outlet line 34 of the air separator 9.

The air separator 9 is in a common cylindrical housing 35 formed with the dirt separator 8. The cylindrical Housing 35 has a common inner tube 17 and 23, the Dirt separator and air separator fluidly connected. In the area between the cylindrical housing and the inner tube 17, 23 an annular division 37 is provided. To the Dirt separator 8 connects approximately tangentially to the suction nozzle 26, that for connection to that coming from the secondary heat exchanger 3 Line is provided.

Particularly noteworthy is the construction described last the combined dirt-air separator, which is not only extremely compact and is constructed to save space, but also in terms of flow technology is particularly cheap. Due to the tangential entry of water into the dirt separator 8 becomes solids in the centrifugal field hurled and eliminated on the outside. At the same time, air bubbles formed into a drum in the center of rotation, which extends through the tube 23 and 17 moved up and in the air separator 9 from the water is separated. Such a dirt-air separator can also be used as separate component can be integrated in a heating system.

The embodiments described above have, except for the lid, Containers and other moving parts in one piece, made of injection molding Manufactured housing on, which is inexpensive especially in large series are to be manufactured and enable a very compact construction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

Primary heat exchanger

2 -

Secondary heat exchanger for water heating

3 -

Secondary heat exchanger for space heating

4 -

1 to 4

5 -

electric motor

6 -

rotary pump

7 -

flange

8th -

dirt separator

9 -

air separator

10 -

switching flap

11 -

tap

12 -

electromagnet

13 -

terminal box

14 -

pressure port

15 -

cover

16 -

opening

17 -

Inner tube

18 -

chamber

19 -

Suction nozzle for hot water circuit

20 -

feather

21 -

lever

22 -

wall

23 -

Inner tube

24 -

channel

25 -

container

26 -

Intake manifold for space heating circuit

27 -

auxiliary socket

28 -

Pressure relief valve

29 -

auxiliary socket

30 -

access opening

31 -

unit

32 -

chamber

33 -

suction

34 -

exit line

35 -

Cylindrical housing

36 -

Annular part

Claims (13)

1. An assembly for a compact heating installation, in particular for a gas heater with two heating circuits, one for room heating and one for providing hot water,

   with a centrifugal pump unit (5, 6),

   with an air separator (9),

   with a switch element (10) for impinging the one or the other heating circuit,

   with a first (19) and with a second suction union (26) and

   with a pressure union (14)

   characterised in that

   a dirt separator (8) is provided and that the dirt separator (8) and the air separator (9) are arranged above one another in a common housing which is directed essentially vertically and arranged transversely to the impeller axis of the centrifugal pump unit (5, 6) and that

   in operation of the assembly, water from the one heating circuit within the assembly firstly goes into the dirt separator (8), then into the air separator (9) and finally through the centrifugal pump unit (5, 6) into the heating circuit again.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the switch element (10) is arranged in the region between the dirt separator (8) and the air separator (9).
3. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second suction union (26) leading to the heating circuit for the room heating laterally connects on the dirt separator (8).
4. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first suction union (19) leading to the heating circuit for the warm water provision, in the region of the switch element (10) connects to the housing accommodating the dirt separator (8) and the air separator (9).
5. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressure union (14) is arranged on the centrifugal pump side.
6. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch element is designed as a switch flap (10) which may be electromagnetically controlled.
7. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the centrifugal pump unit (5, 6) is arranged next to the air separator (9).
8. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the dirt separator is designed as a cyclone separator.
9. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air separator (9) is designed as a gravity separator.
10. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing in the region of the air separator (9) comprises a lateral opening which connects to the suction port (33) of the centrifugal pump unit (6).
11. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dirt separator (8) and the air separator (9) are arranged on two sides within an essentially cylindrical housing (35).
12. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch element (10) is arranged in an intermediate housing connecting the dirt separator (8) and the air separator (9) to the pump housing.
13. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dirt separator (8) and the air separator (9) are allocated to the heating circuit for the room heating.

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