Hydraulic unit for a heating or air-conditioning system

Abstract

A hydraulic construction unit for a heating facility or air-conditioning facility, includes a return connection (20) and a first feed connection (16) for a heating circuit (6), with a heat source outlet (12) fluid conducting connected to the return connection. A heat source inlet (14) is fluid conducting connected to the first feed connection and to a circulation pump assembly (28) in a flow path between the return connection and the heat source outlet (12) or in a flow path between the heat source inlet and the first feed connection. A second feed connection (18) for a second heating circuit (8), is fluid conducting connected to the heat source inlet and to the return connection. A mixing valve (54) is arranged in a flow path from the heat source inlet to the second feed connection and/or in a flow path from the return connection to the second feed connection.

Claims

1. A hydraulic construction unit for a heating facility or air-conditioning facility, the hydraulic construction unit comprising: at least one heating circuit return connection a first heating circuit feed connection for a heating circuit; a heat source outlet fluid conducting connected to the return connection; a circulation pump assembly; a heat source inlet which is fluid conducting connected to the first feed connection as well as fluid conducting connected with the circulation pump assembly which is arranged in a flow path between the return connection and the heat source outlet or in a flow path between the heat source inlet and the first heating circuit feed connection; at least one second heating circuit feed connection for a second heating circuit, wherein the second heating circuit feed connection is fluid conducting connected to the heat source inlet and to the return connection so that a mixture of fluid from the heat source inlet and the return connection can be fed to the second feed connection; and at least one mixing valve arranged in a first flow path from the heat source inlet to the second heating circuit feed connection and/or in a second flow path from the return connection to the second heating circuit feed connection, the mixing valve being configured to selectively change a mixing ratio between fluid flows in the first and second flow paths to change the temperature at the second feed connection.

2. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 1, further comprising, downstream of the circulation pump assembly, at least a section of a first delivery-side flow path and at least a section of a second delivery-side flow path, said section of said first delivery-side flow path and said section of a second delivery-side flow path running out into a common flow path, wherein the mixing valve is arranged in at least one of the sections of the first and/or of the second delivery-side flow path, and a cross-sectional ratio between the first delivery-side flow path and the second delivery-side flow path can be changed via the mixing valve.

3. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the mixing valve is arranged in only one of the first delivery-side flow path and of the second delivery side flow path, for changing the cross section of this delivery-side flow path.

4. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the mixing valve is arranged in the first delivery-side flow path and in the second delivery-side flow path, such that the cross sections of the first delivery-side flow path and of the second delivery-side flow path can be simultaneously changed via the mixing valve.

5. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the mixing valve is configured as a three-way mixing valve.

6. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein: a first inlet of the mixing valve is connected to the heat source inlet; a second inlet of the mixing valve is connected to the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly upstream of the heat source outlet; and an outlet of the mixing valve is connected to the second heating circuit feed connection.

7. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the mixing valve is integrated into a pump housing of the circulation pump assembly.

8. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the mixing valve comprises a movable valve element and an electrical drive motor which moves this valve element.

9. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 8, wherein the movable valve element is arranged in the inside of a valve housing and the drive motor is arranged outside the valve housing, wherein the valve element is pivotable about a pivot axis and is connected to the drive motor via an actuating lever which extends transversely to the pivot axis and which extends through an elastic seal out of the valve housing.

10. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, further comprising a heat exchanger for thermally treating service water, and a switch-over valve configured such that the flow path which is connected to the circulation pump assembly is switchable over between the heat exchanger and at least one heating circuit connection formed on the construction unit, by way of the switch-over valve.

11. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 10, wherein the switch-over valve comprises a movable valve element and an electric drive motor which moves this valve element.

12. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 11, wherein: the mixing valve comprises a movable valve element and an electrical drive motor which moves this valve element; the valve element of the mixing valve is configured as the valve element of the switch-over valve and/or that the drive motor of the mixing valve is configured as the drive motor of the switch-over valve.

13. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 12, wherein the drive motor of the mixing valve and the drive motor of the switch-over valve have a common motor driver which selectively activates the drive motor of the mixing valve or the drive motor of the switch-over valve.

14. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 1, further comprising a pump control device and a common electronics housing wherein the mixing valve comprises a mixer control device which controls the adjustment of the mixing valve for reaching a desired outlet-side fluid temperature and at least partly is arranged with the pump control device of the circulation pump assembly, in a common electronics housing.

15. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump assembly is arranged in a first subassembly of the hydraulic construction unit, and the mixing valve is arranged in a second subassembly of the hydraulic construction unit, wherein the first subassembly comprises the heat source outlet which is connected to the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly, and the second subassembly comprises the heat source inlet which is connected to the mixing valve.

16. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 15, wherein in the second subassembly, the heat source inlet is connected to the first heating circuit feed connection provided for connection of a first heating circuit, and to a first inlet of the mixing valve.

17. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 15, further comprising a heat exchanger for thermally treating service water, and in the second subassembly, the heat source inlet is connected to a heating water inlet of the heat exchanger.

18. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 17, further comprising a switch-over valve which comprises a first and a second inlet as well as an outlet and is configured for switching a flow path between the two inlets is arranged in the first subassembly, wherein the first inlet is connected to a heating water outlet of the secondary heat exchanger and the second inlet is connected to the return connection.

19. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the construction unit comprises fastening elements which are configured to fasten the construction unit on a wall.

20. A hydraulic construction unit according to claim 2, wherein the return connection, the first heating circuit feed connection, the second heating circuit feed connection, the heat source outlet, the heat source inlet and a service water inlet as well as a service water outlet are provided with hydraulic connection elements for the connection of external pipe conduits.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a heating facility with a hydraulic construction unit according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hydraulic construction unit according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a hydraulic construction unit according to the invention, for autarkic application;

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view onto the hydraulic construction unit according to FIG. 3, in the assembled condition;

(6) FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of a mixing valve of the hydraulic construction unit;

(7) FIG. 6 is a sectioned view of the switch-over valve of the hydraulic construction unit; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a plan view from below, onto the hydraulic construction unit according to FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a heating facility which comprises a hydraulic construction unit 2 according to the invention, a heat source in the form of a primary heat exchanger 4 as well as two heating circuits 6 and 8. The heating circuit 6 is thereby a heating circuit which runs through radiators 10 (only one is represented schematically in the figure), whereas the heating circuit 8 is a heating circuit which forms a floor heating. Thereby, it is to be understood that the heating circuit 8 in turn can be subdivided into several floor heating circuits. The primary heat exchanger 4 in particular is part of a gas heating boiler. The primary heat exchanger 4 and the hydraulic construction unit 2 as a whole can be integrated into a compact heating facility, in particular into a gas heating facility. The hydraulic construction unit 2 thereby integrates all essential hydraulic components which are necessary for the operation of the heating facility.

(10) The hydraulic construction unit 2 comprises a heat source outlet 12 and a heat source inlet 14, onto which outlet and inlet the primary heat exchanger 4 can be connected via suitable pipe conduits. The heating medium or the heat transfer medium to be thermally treated (preferably water) exits out of the hydraulic construction unit 2 from the heat source outlet 12. The thermally treated heating medium enters again into the hydraulic construction unit 2 through the heat source inlet 14. For the connection of the heating circuits, the hydraulic construction unit 2 comprises a first feed connection 16, to which the first heating circuit 6 through the radiators 10 is connected, as well as a second feed connection 18, to which the second heating circuit 8 for the floor heating is connected. The hydraulic construction unit 2 moreover comprises a return connection 20, to which the common return of the two heating circuits 6 and 8 is connected.

(11) The hydraulic construction unit 2 which is represented here moreover serves for heating service water, and for this comprises a service water inlet 22 as well as a service water outlet 24. Cold service water, which is to say service water to be heated, is fed through the service water inlet 22, and the thermally treated service water, which is to say heated service water 24 exits from the service water outlet 24. External pipe conduits are connected to these five connections 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. For this, the connections are preferably provided with suitable connection elements or fittings 26 which in this embodiment example are configured as threaded connections.

(12) In its inside, the hydraulic construction unit 2 comprises a circulation pump assembly 28, at whose inlet side which is to say suction side a switch-over valve 30 configured as a 3/2-way valve is situated. The switch-over valve 30 is connected with is outlet 32 to the suction side of the circulation pump assembly 38. A first inlet 34 of the switch-over valve 30 is connected to the heating water outlet 36 in the first hydraulic side of a secondary heat exchanger 38 serving for heating service water. The second inlet 40 of the switch-over valve 30 is connected to the return connection 20 by a flow path formed in the inside of the hydraulic construction unit 2. The switch-over valve 30 comprises a drive motor 42 which is configured as a stepper motor. The drive motor 42 moves a valve element 44 (see FIG. 6) between the two switching positions, wherein an intermediate position between the two switching positions is shown in FIG. 6. In a first switching position, the valve element 44 closes a first valve seat 46 which is in connection with the inlet 34. In this switching position, the flow path from the return connection 20 through the second inlet 30 to the circulation pump assembly 28 is therefore open. In a second switching position, the valve element 44 closes a second valve seat 48 which is in connection with the return connection 20. In this switching condition, the flow path through the return connection 20 to the circulation pump assembly 28 is therefore closed and the flow path from the heating water outlet 36 of the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the circulation pump assembly 28 is opened.

(13) At the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly 28, the flow path divides into two flow paths 50 and 52, wherein the first flow path 50 runs through the heat source outlet 12, the primary heat exchanger 4 and the heat source inlet 14 and from there to a first feed connection 16. This means that two sections run from the first flow path 50, in the inside of the hydraulic construction unit 12, specifically the section up to the heat source outlet 12 as well as the second from the heat source inlet 14 to the first feed connection 16. The remainder of the first flow path is formed by the external pipework and the primary heat exchanger 4 which are connected onto the heat source outlet 12 and the heat source inlet 14.

(14) The second flow path 52 which runs at the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly 28, runs in the inside of the hydraulic construction unit 2 to a mixing valve 54. The mixing valve 54 is configured as a 3-way valve and comprises two inlets 56 and 58. The first inlet 56 is in hydraulic connection with the heat source inlet 14, whereas the second inlet 58 is connected via the flow path 52, directly to the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly 28. I.e. heating medium which does not flow through the primary heat exchanger 4 and thus has essentially the same temperature which the heating medium has on entry into the return connection 20, is fed from the delivery side of the circulation pump assembly 28 to the second inlet 58. The mixing valve 54 comprises an outlet 60 which is connected to the second feed connection 18 via a common delivery-side flow path. The temperature which is to say the feed temperature, at which the heating medium exits out of the second feed connection 18 can be adjusted via the mixing valve 54. Heating medium which has not been thermally treated can be admixed via the flow path 52 and via the mixing valve 54, to the heating medium which has been thermally treated by the primary heat exchanger 4 and which is fed from the heat source inlet 14 to the mixing valve 54, in order, in the case of a heating facility, to reduce the feed temperature at the second feed connection 18 with respect to the heating medium temperature at the heat source inlet 18. Since the heating medium is fed directly from the heat source inlet 14 to the first feed connection 16, the feed temperature at the first feed connection 16 is essentially equal to the outlet temperature of the primary heat exchanger 4. Different feed temperatures can therefore be made available at the feed connections 16 and 18.

(15) The mixing valve 54 likewise comprises a drive motor 62 which is configured as a stepper motor. A valve element 64 in the inside of the mixing valve 54 is moved between the valve seats 66 and 68 via the drive motor 62. Thereby, the valve seat 66 is connected to the inlet 58 and the valve seat 68 to the inlet 56. The valve element 64, via the stepper motor 62 can assume different intermediate positions between the two valve seats 66 and 68, so that the free flow cross section from the valve seats 66 and 68 to the outlet 60 is varied. The ratio of the flow cross sections of the inlets 56 and 58 to one another varies, by which means the mixing ratio between the heating media flows flowing through them can be varied. Moreover, a flow path which connects the heat source inlet 14 to a heating water inlet 70 of the first hydraulic side of the secondary heat exchanger 38 is also located in the inside of the hydraulic construction unit 2. If the switch-over valve 30 is located in the respective switching position, the heating medium can flow from the heat source inlet 14 via the heating water inlet 70 through the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the heating water outlet 36 and from there via the switch-over valve 30 into the circulation pump assembly 28. Thereby, the heating medium, via the secondary heat exchanger 38 can heat a service water flow flowing from the service water inlet 22 through the hydraulic second side of the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the service water outlet 24.

(16) The components of the hydraulic construction unit 2 which are represented within the dashed line shown in FIG. 1 preferably represent an integrated construction unit which can be integrated into a heating facility as a preassembled construction unit, or however can also be applied in an autarkic manner. The flow paths are preferably integrated into molded parts of plastic which are preferably manufactured by injection molding. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of such a hydraulic construction unit 2. The hydraulic construction unit 2 consists essentially of two subassemblies 72 and 74 which are connected to one another via a secondary heat exchanger 38 and the second flow path 52 formed as a separate pipe conduit. The subassembly 72 as an essential component comprises the circulation pump assembly 28, onto which the heat source outlet 12 and the second delivery-side flow path 52 branching between the circulation pump assembly 28 and the heat source outlet 12 connects at the delivery side. The first subassembly 72 moreover comprises the return connection 20 as well as the switch-over valve 30. The first inlet 34 of the switch-over valve 30 is connected directly to the heating water outlet of the secondary heat exchanger 38. This flow path as well as the flow path from the return connection 20 to the switch-over valve 30 and the flow path from the second outlet 60 of the switch-over valve 30 to the circulation pump assembly 28 are formed in a plastic molded part which is configured of one part or of several parts. This molded part moreover comprises the flow path from the service water inlet 22 to the inlet connection 76 of the second hydraulic side of the secondary heat exchanger 38. A filter 78 and a flow sensor 80 are arranged in the flow path from the service water inlet 22 to the inlet connection 76. The flow sensor 80 detects whether a flow is present in the flow path or not, and is used to recognize whether heated service water is required or not. If a user opens a water tap, in order to tap warm service water, then this causes a flow in the service water flow path, said flow being recognized by the flow sensor 80 and being transmitted to a control device 82 which can the switch the switch-over valve 30 into that position, in which the heating medium flow runs through the secondary heat exchanger 38. The first subassembly 72 moreover in the usual manner yet comprises further components such as a venting means 82 and a pressure relief valve 84.

(17) The second subassembly 74 comprises the heat source inlet 14, the first feed connection 16, the second feed connection 18 as well as the service water outlet 24. Moreover, in the second subassembly 74, the second delivery-side flow path 52 which is configured as a separate pipe conduit runs out into the mixing valve 54 which is likewise arranged in the second subassembly 24. The flow paths from the described connections in the second subassembly 74 to the mixing valve 54 and to the secondary heat exchanger 38 are likewise configured as plastic molded parts, which can be of one or of several parts. Furthermore, two temperature sensors 86 and 88 are arranged in the second subassembly 74, and these on the one hand detect the temperature in the flow path from the secondary heat exchanger 38 to the service water outlet 24, i.e. the temperature of the heated service water, and on the other hand the temperature in the flow path from the mixing valve 54 to the second feed connection 18, i.e. the second feed temperature. The circulation pump assembly 28 can be regulated in its speed on the basis of the temperature sensor 86 in the service water flow path, in order to set/adjust the supply of heat to the secondary heat exchanger 38 and therefore the service water temperature. The mixing valve can be regulated (closed-loop controlled) via the signal of the temperature sensor 88 at the exit side of the mixing valve 54, in order to adjust the mixing ratio such that a desired feed temperature is achieved.

(18) The mixing valve 54 as well as the switch-over valve 30, as can be recognized in FIGS. 5 and 6, is configured essentially equally. The arrangement of the valve seats 46 and 48 and of the valve element 4 thus corresponds essentially to the arrangement of the valve seats 66 and 68 and of the valve element 64. The drive motor 42 also corresponds to the drive motor 62. The different functionality of the two valves is merely achieved by way of a different activation of the drive motors 42 and 62. Whereas with regard to the switch-over valve 30, the valve element 44 is merely moved between two switching positions, the drive motor 62 in the case of the mixing valve 54 is activated such that one can also move to intermediate positions between the two end positions defined by the bearing contact of the valve element 64 on the valve seats 66 and 68. The valve elements 44 and 64 are connected in each case via an actuating lever 90 to the drive motor 42 and 62 respectively, said motors creating the linear movement. The actuating lever 90 is led through a sealing sleeve 92 and executes a pivoting movement about a pivot axis Y in the region of a housing wall of the valve housing. The essentially equal design of the switch-over valve 30 and of the mixing valve 54 has the advantage of equal components and moreover has advantages with regard to control technology, since it is merely one stepper motor driver which is necessary, in order to activate the drive motors 42 and 62. The drive motors 42 and 62 never need to be actuated simultaneously, so that a single motor driver is sufficient for both.

(19) The described hydraulic construction unit 2 can either be integrated into a heating facility such as a compact heating facility or into a heating boiler or however can be applied in an autarkic manner as described by way of FIGS. 3, 4 and 7. For this, the hydraulic construction unit 2 which corresponds to the hydraulic construction unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in a housing 94. The housing 94 simultaneously forms a mechanical supporting element. The housing 94 consists of a housing lower part 96, a housing upper part 8 and of a front plate 100. The housing 94 is preferably formed from sheet metal. The housing lower part 96 at its rear side comprises fastening elements in the form of holes 102. Screws for example, with which the housing lower part 96 can be fastened on a wall, can be led through the holes 102. Moreover, through-holes 104 are formed in the housing lower part 96, on a horizontally extending base plate 103. The first and the second feed connection 16, 18, the return connection 20, the service water inlet 22 and the service water outlet 24 with their connection elements 26 extend through the through-holes 104, wherein the connection elements 26 can be directly mechanically fixed to the base plate 103 in the periphery of the through-holes 104. Forces acting upon the connection elements 26 via the external pipe conduits are thus transmitted directly onto the base plate 103 and thus via the housing lower part 96 onto the fastening elements 102, without loading the plastic molded parts defining the hydraulic flow paths, with excessive forces.

(20) Accordingly, two through-holes 106, into which connection elements 26 of the heat source outlet 12 and of the heat source inlet 14 engage and accordingly can be mechanically fixed to the housing upper part 98 in a direct manner are formed in the housing upper part 98. Thus forces which act upon the connection elements 26 of the heat source outlet 12 and heat source inlet 14 are likewise transmitted directly onto the fastening elements 102 via the housing upper part 58 and the housing lower part 98 connected to this upper part, without loading the structures in the inside of the hydraulic construction unit 2 with excessive forces.

(21) At the front side, the housing 24 is closed by a front plate 100 comprising an opening 108, through which the axial face end of the circulation pump assembly 28 can extend outwards which is to say remains visible from the outside. This has the advantage that operating elements of the circulation pump assembly 28 remain accessible from the outside. A control device 110 assuming control functions which would normally be assumed by the heating control in the case of the integration of the hydraulic construction unit 2 in a heating facility, is arranged in the inside of the housing 94. The control device 10 comprises a first connection region 112, to which the mains connection lead is connected. The control device 110 moreover comprises a second connection region 114, to which the drive motors 42 and 62 are connected via connection leads which are not shown here. Moreover, this second connection region 114 is connected via further connection leads which are not shown, to temperature sensors 86, 88 as well as the flow sensor 80. The control device 10 thus on the one hand assumes the control of the mixing valve 54 and on the other hand the control of the switch-over valve 30. A stepper motor driver is arranged in the control device 110 for this, and this driver activates the drive motors 42 and 62, wherein a single stepper motor driver is sufficient, as has been described above. However, as an alternative, two stepper motor drivers can also be provided. If the control device 110 detects a service water demand by way of the flow sensor 80, it then activates the drive motor 42 so that the flow path through the heating circuits is closed and the flow path for the heating medium through the secondary heat exchanger 38 is opened. In heating operation, i.e. when the switch-over valve 30 is located in the other switching position, the control device 110 activates the drive motor 62, so as to adjust the mixing ratio in the mixing valve 54 such that a predefined exit temperature is achieved at the temperature sensor 88.

(22) It is to be understood that the control device 110 could also be integrated completely into the electronics housing 116 of the circulation pump assembly or however could also be arranged outside the housing 94. The autarkic functionality of the hydraulic construction unit 2 can also be applied in an apartment station, wherein the heat source outlet 12 and the heat source inlet 14 are then connected to the radiant heating system of a building. The pipe piece 118 which is in connection with the heat source inlet 14 can then be replaced by a thermal quantity measuring appliance.

(23) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.