Modular fitting for expansion vessels

Abstract

A pipe fitting for expansion tanks includes a first part suited to be fixed to an expansion tank during production of the expansion tank, and a second part suited to be fixed to the first part, if necessary, even at a later moment than the production of the expansion tank.

Claims

1. A pipe fitting for expansion tanks, comprising: a first part configured to be fixed to an expansion tank during the production of said expansion tank; and a second part configured to be fixed to said first part, if necessary, even at a later moment with than the production of said expansion tank, and wherein said first part comprises a tubular portion adapted to be inserted and housed in a hole provided in one of two half shells that make up the expansion tank (V), and further comprises a portion shaped as a contact ring provided at one end of said tubular portion and configured to be rested on and joined to an external surface of said expansion tank, and wherein said second part comprises a contact and connection ring configured to be permanently fixed to said contact ring of said first part, and further comprises a tubular portion configured to be connected to a duct of a hydraulic system and facing an opposite direction with respect to said first part and to said expansion tank.

2. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, wherein, on an annular surface of said contact ring of said first part facing towards the tubular portion of said first part, there is an annular projection configured to provide a contact surface between said contact ring of said first part and a cap of the expansion tank during projection welding between said first part and said cap of the expansion tank.

3. The pipe fitting according to claim 2, wherein, on an annular surface of said contact and connection ring of said second part opposite the tubular portion of said second part, there is an annular projection configured to provide a contact surface between said contact and connection ring of said second part and said contact ring of said first part during projection welding between said first part and said cap of the expansion tank.

4. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, wherein said first part and said second part are configured to be joined to each other with the contact ring of the first part adhering to and concentric with the contact and connection ring of the second part through a perimeter weld.

5. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, wherein said first part and said second part are provided with threaded portions configured to enable a joining to each other through a screwing operation.

6. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, wherein said first part and said second part have portions, elements, projections, or grooves configured to enable a joining to each other through a quick coupling.

7. The pipe fitting according to the claim 1, wherein an external surface of the tubular portion of said second part is threaded, so that said second part can be connected to a duct of the hydraulic system.

8. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, wherein an external surface of the tubular portion of said second part is conical, so that said second part can be connected to a duct of the hydraulic system.

9. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, wherein an edge of said tubular portion of said second part opposite said contact and connection ring comprises a flange for connection to a duct of the hydraulic system.

Description

[0033] The attached drawings show, by way of a non-limiting example, a practical embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows the first part (A) of the new modular fitting for expansion tanks.

[0035] The first part (A) of the new fitting consists of a tubular portion (A1) having the edge of one end bent orthogonally to form a contact ring (A2).

[0036] The tubular portion (A1) of said first part (A) is suited to be inserted and housed in the hole (Va1, Vb1) of a half-shell (Va, Vb) of the expansion tank (V).

[0037] The contact ring portion (A2) of said first part (A) is suited to rest on and be joined to the external surface (Ve) of said half-shell (Va, Vb) of the expansion tank (V).

[0038] The end (A1.1) of the tubular portion (A1) opposite said contact ring portion (A2) is suited to be folded towards the contact ring portion (A2) so as to fix said first part (A) of the new fitting to the edge of the hole (Va1, Vb1) of the expansion tank (V).

[0039] On the annular surface (A2.1) of said contact ring (A2) facing the tubular portion (A1) there is an annular projection (A3) concentric to said tubular portion (A1) and to said contact ring (A2).

[0040] Said annular projection (A3) has a trapezoidal section tapered in the direction opposite said contact ring (A2).

[0041] This annular projection (A3) is the contact surface between the first part (A1) and the cap of the expansion tank (V) during the electric projection welding of said first part (A1) and said cap of the expansion tank (V).

[0042] FIG. 2 shows the second part (B) of the new modular fitting for expansion tanks.

[0043] The second part (B) of the new fitting consists of a tubular portion (B1) having the edge of one end bent orthogonally to create a contact and connection ring (B2).

[0044] The contact and connection ring portion (B2) of said second part (B) is suited to rest on and be joined to the surface (A2.2) of the contact ring (A2) of said first part (A).

[0045] The annular surface (B2.1) of said contact and connection ring (B2) facing away from the tubular portion (B1) has an annular projection (B3) concentric to said tubular portion (B1) and to said contact and connection ring (B2).

[0046] In this embodiment, said annular projection (B3) has a trapezoidal section tapered in the direction opposite said contact and connection ring (B2).

[0047] The tubular portion (B1) of said second part (B) is suited to be connected to a duct of the hydraulic system.

[0048] In this embodiment the external surface of the tubular portion (B1) of said second part (B) is threaded (B1.1), but it can be equipped with a flange at its end opposite said contact and connection ring (B2), or it can have another type or shape of connection to a hydraulic system duct.

[0049] FIGS. 3 and 4 show two points in the assembly of the new modular fitting (A, B) to a half-shell (Va, Vb) of an expansion tank (V).

[0050] In FIG. 3, in particular, the various parts are shown separated while in FIG. 4 the various parts are shown joined.

[0051] In this embodiment, the half-shell (Va, Vb) of the expansion tank (V) comprises the external cap (Va) made of metal material and an internal cap (Vb) made of a material suitable to prevent corrosion and for contact with sanitary fluids and/or liquid foodstuffs.

[0052] Initially the first part (A) of the new fitting is coupled and joined to the outer cap (Va) by inserting its tubular portion (A1) into the hole (Va1) of the outer shell (Va) and joining said first part (A) to the outer shell (Va) by electric projection welding.

[0053] This welding fuses the annular projection (A3) of the first part (A) which joins the contact ring (A2) of the first part to the external surface of the outer cap (Va).

[0054] Subsequently, a gasket (Oa), the inner cap (Vb), a sealing gasket (Ob) and a riveting ring (Oc) are coupled on said tubular portion (A1) of the first part (A).

[0055] A pressure plastic deformation, typically riveting, deforms the end (A1.1) of said tubular portion (A1) holding the element (Oa), the inner cap (Vb), the seal (Ob), and the riveting ring (Oc) ensuring a watertight seal.

[0056] In this phase, the new fitting has only the first part (A) joined to the expansion tank, with the outer ring surface (A2.2) ready to receive a second part (B) of the new fitting.

[0057] At this point the semi-finished expansion tank (V) is stored together with other identical semi-finished expansion tanks (V).

[0058] When expansion tanks (V) with specific connections are required, the semi-finished expansion tanks (V) are picked and appropriate second parts (B) of the new fitting specific for the type of connection are applied to them.

[0059] Each second part (B) of the new fitting is joined to the annular flat surface (A2.2) of the first part (A) already fixed to the expansion tank (V).

[0060] In particular said second part (B) is coupled to the first part (A) so that its contact and connection ring (B2) faces the contact ring (A2) of the first part (A).

[0061] The first (A) and second part (B) of the new fitting are joined by means of electric projection welding.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the final phase of the two parts (A, B) of the new fitting joined to an expansion tank (V).

[0063] The new modular fitting made as described above has considerable advantages.

[0064] The new fitting (A, B) enables the partial assembly of each expansion tank (V) regardless of the type of final fitting (A, B) required.

[0065] The new fitting (A, B) allows each expansion tank (V) to be assembled completely and to add the second part (B) of the fitting (A, B) at a later time.

[0066] The new fitting (A, B) allows the second part (B), suited to the specific type of connection, to be added to each expansion tank (V) previously assembled with the first part (A) of the fitting (A, B).

[0067] The use of the new fitting (A, B) enables less space to be occupied in the warehouse as it is sufficient to stock expansion tanks (V) with various capacities to which the second necessary specific parts (B) are applied.

[0068] The use of the new fitting (A, B) enables the production of specific expansion tanks (V) even in small quantities.

[0069] Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings the following claims are made.