LIQUID SUPPLY OF A BLOCK STORAGE ELEMENT

Abstract

Block storage element and method for supplying liquid to a block storage element. The block storage clement has an overflow and the method includes introducing the liquid into an overflow distributor with a distributor limit. The liquid is throttled by at least one passageway arranged in the distributor limit and gets into a tub area of the block storage element, and the liquid that is not drained by way of the at least one passageway is discharged via. the overflow.

Claims

1. A method for supplying liquid to a block storage element having an overflow. the method comprising: introducing the liquid into an overflow distributor with a distributor limit, wherein the liquid is throttled by at least one passageway arranged in the distributor limit and gets into a tub area of the block storage element, and wherein the liquid that is not drained by way of the at least one passageway is discharged via the overflow.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the overflow is a first overflow and the liquid introduced into the block storage element from the overflow distributor is drained by way of a second inlet of a second overflow of an overflow collector.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first block storage element and a second block storage element are arranged one above the other and wherein the liquid discharged via the overflow of the first block storage element is conducted in a liquid guide of a second block storage element arranged below the first block storage element.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the overflows of the first and second block storage elements are first overflows and the liquid introduced into the first and second block storage elements from respective overflow distributors is drained by way of a second inlet of a second overflow of an overflow collector in each of the first and second block storage elements.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the liquid drained via the second overflow of the first block storage element is conducted into a second liquid guide of the second block storage element.

6. The method according; to claim 5, wherein the liquid conducted into the second liquid guide of the second block storage element via the second overflow of the first block storage element is transferred by way of a first inlet of the second overflow of the second block storage element into a third block storage element arranged below the second block storage element in the direction of gravity.

7. A block storage element comprising: a tub area; an overflow; and an overflow distributor having a distributor limit with at least one passageway to the tub area, wherein a first cross section of the at least one passageway is smaller than a second cross section of the overflow.

8. The block storage element according to claim 7, wherein the at least one passageway is arranged at least one of at least partially at a height of an upper end of the overflow in the direction of gravity or at least partially below the upper end of the overflow in the direction of gravity.

9. The block storage element according to claim 7, wherein the overflow distributor is arranged in a corner area of the tub area.

10. The block storage element according to claim 7, wherein the overflow distributor has a liquid guide, a lower end of which is arranged below an upper end of the overflow in the direction of gravity.

11. The block storage element according to claim 7, wherein the overflow is a first overflow, and the block storage element further comprises an overflow collector and a second overflow with a first inlet and a second inlet, and wherein the first inlet interacts with an interior of the overflow collector, and the second inlet interacts with an exterior of the overflow collector.

12. The block storage element according to claim 11, wherein the liquid guide is a first liquid guide, and the block storage element further comprises a second liquid guide that interacts with the interior of the overflow collector.

13. The block storage element according to claim 11, wherein the second inlet is arranged above the first inlet in the direction of gravity.

14. The block storage element according to claim 11, wherein an upper end of the first inlet in a direction of gravity is arranged at a same height as a floor of the overflow collector.

15. The block storage element according to claim 11, wherein the tub area comprises a first corner area and a second corner area that differs from the first corner area, and wherein the overflow distributor is arranged in the first corner area and the overflow collector with the second overflow is arranged in the second corner area.

16. A block storage element system comprising at least a first and a second block. storage element according to claim 12, wherein the first block storage element is arranged above the second block storage element in a direction of gravity, and wherein, at least one of the overflow of the first block storage element is arranged above the first liquid guide of the second block storage element or the second overflow of the first block storage element is arranged above the second liquid guide of the second block storage element.

17. A block storage element system comprising at least a first and a second block storage element according to claim 7, wherein the first block storage element is arranged above the second block storage element in a direction of gravity, and wherein, the overflow of the first block storage element is arranged above the first liquid guide of the second block storage element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a block storage element;

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates a cut detailed view of the overflow distributor;

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a cut detailed view of the overflow collector; and

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the second overflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0050] The block storage element 1 shown on FIG. 1 has a tub area 2 and stack geometries 3. Distributor elements 4 are provided in the tub area 2. An overflow distributor 5 is provided in a first corner area of the block storage element 1. An overflow collector 6 is provided in a second corner area of the block storage element 1.

[0051] The overflow distributor 5 is shown cut or sectioned in FIG. 2. The overflow distributor 5 has a distributor limit 7 with several passageways 8. The distributor limit 7 delimits an area around a first overflow 9 from the tub area 2. A first liquid guide 10 empties into the area around the first overflow 9. A lower end of the liquid guide 10 in the direction of gravity is here arranged under an upper end of the first overflow 9. The first liquid guide 10 further has a tunnellike shape, wherein a funnel inlet is arranged. above the first overflow 9 in the direction of gravity. The passageways 8 connect the area around the first overflow 9, also referred to as the interior of the overflow distributor 5, with the tub area 2. Proceeding from the interior of the overflow distributor 5, liquid gets into the tub area 2 via the passageways 8. In the tub area 2, the liquid is conducted by way of distributor elements 4.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a cut or sectioned view of the overflow collector 6. The overflow collector 6 has a second overflow 11 with a first inlet 12 and a second inlet 13, wherein the two inlets 12, 13 are separated from each other by a boundary 14. Further a second liquid guide 15 is provided.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the first inlet 12 and the second inlet 13 of the overflow collector 6. The second inlet 13 serves as an overflow for the tub area 2. By contrast, the first inlet 12 serves as an overflow for liquid that was introduced into the interior of the overflow collector 6. The first and the second inlets 12, 13 both empty into the second overflow 11. in addition, the first inlet 12 is at a same height as a floor 16.

[0054] In the block. storage element system, at least two block storage elements 1 can he stacked one above the other (not shown), such that a first block storage element I is here arranged above a second block storage element 1. The stack geometries 3 of the respective block storage elements I are detachably engaged with each other. In this arrangement, the first liquid guide 10 of the second block storage element I is arranged below the first overflow 9 of the first block storage element 1. In addition, the second liquid guide 15 of the second block storage element I is arranged below the second overflow 11 of the first block storage element 1.

[0055] Fresh liquid is introduced into the first liquid. guide of the first (upper) block storage element 1. The liquid guide there transfers the liquid into the overflow distributor 5, from where at least one portion of the liquid gets through the passageways 8 and into the tub area 2. The liquid is throttled through the passageways 8, so that the liquid level rises within the overflow distributor 5. As soon as the liquid level has reached the upper end of the first overflow 9, liquid is discharged by way of the first overflow 9. The first overflow 9 of the first block storage element 1 empties into the first liquid guide 10 of the second block storage element. The process there starts over again in the second (lower) block storage element 1.

[0056] Liquid that has gotten into the tub area 2 proceeding from the overflow distributor 5 is distributed along the complete tub area 2 by distributor elements 4. As a result, the complete tub area 2 is supplied with fresh liquid. As soon as the tub area 2 is supplied with liquid, liquid also gets to the overflow collector 6. The now consumed liquid there gets into the second liquid guide 15 of the second (lower) block storage element 1 via the second inlet 13 of the first (upper) block storage element 1. The second liquid guide 15 transfers the consumed liquid into the interior of the overflow collector 6, from where the liquid is transferred into the second overflow 11 of the second block storage element 1 by way of the first inlet 12. Here as well, as many block storage elements 1 as desired can be stacked one above the other, so that consumed liquid can be drained.

[0057] The overflow distributor 5 in combination with the first liquid guide 10 conduct exclusively fresh liquid. The overflow collector 6 in combination with the second. liquid guide 15 take care of consumed liquid. As a result, fresh liquid is separated from the consumed liquid. This enables a good supply of all block storage elements 1 located in the block storage system.

[0058] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference List

[0059] 1 Block storage element [0060] 2 Tub area [0061] 3 Stack geometry [0062] 4 Distributor element [0063] 5 Overflow distributor [0064] 6 Overflow collector [0065] 7 Distributor limit [0066] 8 Passageway [0067] 9 First overflow [0068] 10 First liquid guide [0069] 11 Second overflow [0070] 12 First inlet [0071] 13 Second inlet [0072] 14 Limit [0073] 15 Second liquid guide [0074] 16 Floor