[0001] The present invention relates to a hollow enbloc header unit for heating systems.
[0002] In particular, the present invention finds advantageous though non-exclusive application
in heating systems that use bi-thermal wall-mounted boilers (i.e., combined boilers
for heating and for production of domestic hot water), to which the ensuing description
will make explicit reference without this implying any loss of generality.
[0003] It is known that wall-mounted boilers for autonomous heating systems have become
progressively smaller household appliances that are mass produced and have increasingly
contained prices.
[0004] Consequently, the search for markedly integrated low-cost components stimulates the
study of new inventions that reduce the overall number of the mono-functional components
used in favour of the use of a few multifunctional assemblies characterized by small
overall dimensions, high integration of functions, and a rational arrangement of the
components designed to render all the operations of ordinary maintenance of the product
convenient.
[0005] To produce a multifunction hydraulic unit that uses largely commercially available
components but that at the same time meets the requirements of reduction of the overall
dimensions, it has consequently become necessary to rethink the classic configuration
of the header unit as a "cluster of pipes and connections" in a more sophisticated
configuration that can be defined as hollow enbloc, in the form of "technical plate
(or base)", designed to contain all the pipes and connections with the heating system,
with the aim of obtaining maximum reduction of the overall dimensions and maximum
simplicity of maintenance-regulation.
[0006] The aim of the present invention is consequently to provide a hollow enbloc header
unit to be installed in a heating system, in particular on the return piping of the
heating system, that will be easy and economically advantageous to produce.
[0007] Consequently, according to the present invention, a hollow enbloc header unit for
heating systems is provided according to what is claimed in Claim 1 or in any one
of the claims that depend directly or indirectly upon Claim 1.
[0008] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now
described, purely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the attached
drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 illustrates a hydraulic scheme of a heating system that uses a wall-mounted
boiler of the bi-thermal type in which a hollow enbloc header unit provided according
to the teachings of the present invention is used;
- Figure 2 shows, in axonometric view, the hollow enbloc header unit provided according
to the present invention; it may be noted that in this figure the hollow enbloc header
unit is shown in association with hydraulic components belonging to the heating system;
- Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the hollow enbloc header unit of Figure 2 with
the hydraulic components associated thereto;
- Figure 4 is a front view of the hollow enbloc header unit and of the hydraulic components
represented in Figure 2;
- Figure 5 shows a cross section A-A taken on the front view of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 illustrates, in axonometric view and in accordance with a first viewpoint,
the hollow enbloc header unit, forming the main subject of the present invention,
isolated from the rest of the components;
- Figure 7 shows, in axonometric view and in accordance with a
[0009] second viewpoint, the hollow enbloc header unit illustrated, in particular, in Figure
6;
- Figure 8 illustrates a front view of the hollow enbloc header unit;
- Figure 9 shows a cross section B-B of the hollow enbloc header unit taken on the front
view of Figure 8; and
- Figure 10 illustrates a cross section C-C of the hollow enbloc header unit taken on
the front view of Figure 8.
[0010] In Figure 1, designated as a whole by 10 is a heating system, of a known type, comprising
a combined wall-mounted boiler 50 of the bi-thermal type.
[0011] The wall-mounted boiler 50, having a containment guard 50A, in turn comprises a hollow
enbloc header unit 100 built according to the present invention.
[0012] The heating system 10 moreover envisages the presence of at least one radiator 51
and at least one point 52 for drawing off domestic hot water.
[0013] In a known way, the radiator 51 is supplied with incoming hot water by means of a
pipe 53, whilst the cold water leaving the radiator 51 returns to the wall-mounted
boiler 50 through a pipe 54.
[0014] Once again with reference to Figure 1, designated by 55 is a pipe for supply of domestic
hot water to the offtake point 52, and designated by 56 is a pipe for the cold water
coming from the mains (not shown).
[0015] The cold water at inlet from the pipe 56 connected up with the mains serves to supply
the offtake point 52 (after it has been heated), and/or to top up the heating system
10.
[0016] Within the containment guard 50A there is a burner 60 supplied with a fuel gas (LPG,
methane, etc.) by means of a gas-supply pipe 61.
[0017] In a known way, arranged above the burner 60 is a bi-thermal heat exchanger 65, which
has the purpose of heating simultaneously both the domestic water for supplying the
offtake point 52 and the water of the circuit for heating the environments, which
comprises the radiator 51.
[0018] As has been said, the water coming from the mains enters the boiler 50 through the
pipe 56, passes into the heat exchanger 65, and exits from the boiler 50 as hot water
through the pipe 55. However, before reaching the heat exchanger 65 the cold water
passes through a flow switch 57 that gives precedence to the domestic water, said
flow switch being hydraulically connected through a topping-up pipe to the hollow
enbloc header unit 100.
[0019] Completing the wall-mounted boiler 50 are the following elements:
- an expansion vessel 58;
- a pump 59, which sends the water for heating environments into circulation causing
it to flow through the bi-thermal heat exchanger 65;
- a safety solenoid valve 70 in the gas-supply pipe 61 for opening and closing the passage
of gas towards the burner 60;
- a low pressure switch 71 for preventing operation of the boiler 50 when a pre-set
value of the pressure of the water in the heating system 10 has not been reached;
and
- a pressure gauge 72 for displaying the pressure of the water in the system.
[0020] The hollow enbloc header unit 100 forming the specific subject of the present invention
is illustrated in greater detail with reference to Figures 2 to 10 and comprises the
following elements:
- a connector 102, symmetrically arranged about an axis (X);
- a pipe 103 for housing a differential by-pass valve for by-passing heating (see below);
the pipe 103 is set symmetrically about an axis (Y) perpendicular to the axis (X)
and terminates with a connector 117 (Figure 6);
- a pipe 108, connected to which is a safety valve (see below); the pipe 108 is set
symmetrically about an axis (Y*) parallel to the axis (Y) and terminates with a connector
114 (Figure 6);
- a transverse pipe 110 for connection between the pipes 103 and 108, which are in turn
parallel to one another; the pipe 110 is set symmetrically about an axis (X*), parallel
to the axis (X), and perpendicular to the axes (Y), (Y*); in addition, the pipe 110
terminates with a connector 111 (see below);
- a connector 112 set symmetrically about an axis (W); it should moreover be noted that
the connector 112 divides the aforesaid pipe 110 into two portions 110A, 110B;
- a connector 113 set symmetrically about an axis (W*) parallel to the axis (W); in
addition, the connector 113 gives out into the aforesaid pipe 108; the connector 113
has the purpose of connecting hydraulically the entire hollow enbloc header unit 100
with the pipe 54 for return of the cold water from the heat exchanger 65 (see also
Figure 1);
- a connector 115 set symmetrically about an axis (Y**) parallel to the axes (Y), (Y*);
the connector 115 has the purpose of connecting hydraulically the entire hollow enbloc
header unit 100 with the pipe 56 for the cold domestic water coming from the mains,
through the flow switch 57, with function of topping-up of the system;
- a connector 106 (with axis (W**)) provided with a tap 107 for discharging the system;
the axis (W**) is perpendicular to the plane (II) ; and
- a connector 118 set symmetrically about an axis (W***) provided with a tap 116 for
charging the system; the axis (W***) is perpendicular to the plane (II) (Figure 5).
[0021] It is to be noted that the ensemble of the connector 102 (with axis (X)), the pipe
103 (with axis (Y)), and the portion 110A (with axis (X*)) of the pipe 110 (with axis
(X*)) constitutes a by-pass branch 200 designed to guarantee a minimum flowrate of
recirculation of water through the heat exchanger 65 of the boiler 50.
[0022] The by-pass branch 200 is substantially Z-shaped in such a way that at least a portion
thereof, constituted in this case by the pipe 103 (with axis (Y)), will be as close
as possible to the pipe 108 (with axis (Y*)) thus reducing the overall dimensions
of the hollow enbloc main body 100 (see below). It should likewise be noted that the
by-pass branch 200 is completely integrated in the hollow enbloc main body 100.
[0023] In addition, the axes (X), (X*), (Y), (Y*), (Y**) all substantially lie in one and
the same plane (Π).
[0024] The ensemble of the connector 113 (with axis (W*)), the pipe 108 (with axis (Y*)),
and the connector 112 (with axis (W)) constitutes a cold-water return branch 250,
which is also completely integrated in the hollow enbloc main body 100. Also the cold-water
branch 250 has a Z configuration.
[0025] In addition, the axes (Y*), (W) and (W*) all substantially lie in one and the same
plane (Ψ) perpendicular to the aforesaid plane (Π) . In fact, the planes (Π) and (Ψ)
intersect in a straight line coinciding with the axis (Y*).
[0026] In addition, the by-pass branch 200 and the cold-water return branch 250, which both
have a Z configuration, intersect in a point (P) belonging simultaneously to the planes
(Π) and (Ψ) and to the axes (X*) and (Y*) .
[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated) the branch
250 is a hot-water delivery branch.
[0028] In summary, the hollow enbloc header unit 100 comprises the following elements:
- the by-pass branch 200;
- the cold-water return branch 250;
- the connector 114;
- a portion 110B of a pipe 110, said portion 110B being provided with a connector 111;
- the connector 113;
- the connector 115;
- the connector 106;
- the connector 117; and
- the connector 118.
[0029] In this way, a hollow enbloc header unit 100 is obtained that is extremely compact
and hence occupies a very small space in the three dimensions, i.e., length (L1),
width (L2) (Figure 9), and height (H) (Figure 10).
[0030] It should be noted that the desired compactness of the hollow enbloc header unit
100 is represented above all by the fact that, as has been said previously, the by-pass
branch 200 and the cold-water return branch 250 both have a Z configuration and intersect
in the point (P) belonging simultaneously to the planes (Π) and (Ψ) and to the axes
(X*) and (Y*) .
[0031] Furthermore, the hollow enbloc header unit 100 is normally made of a single piece,
for example, with a single operation of die-casting or else pressure injection moulding.
[0032] The main characteristic of the hollow enbloc header unit 100 described above regards
its geometrical conformation which can be equated with an extremely compact technical
plate (or base), designed to contain, according to parallel-perpendicular axes, all
the pipes and connectors for connection with the pipes and with the safety and control
devices of the heating system 10.
[0033] It should be noted that, in this context, when we say that the hollow enbloc header
unit 100 has a geometrical conformation that can be equated with that of a technical
plate (or base), we mean that the aforesaid height (H) is much smaller both than the
length (L1) and than the width (L2).
[0034] Forming part of the heating system 10 are also the following elements, hydraulically
connected to the aforesaid hollow enbloc header unit 100:
- a header 102A for hydraulic connection between the pipe 102 and the delivery pipe
53 (see also Figure 1) of the heating system 10;
- a differential by-pass valve 104 for by-passing heating inserted in the pipe 103;
as is known, the differential by-pass valve 104 is pre-calibrated, and has the purpose,
if need be, of guaranteeing a minimum flowrate of recirculation of water through the
heat exchanger 65 of the boiler 50 even when a thermostatic radiator valve 51A (Figure
1) applied at inlet to the radiator 51 blocks circulation because the demand for heat
by the environment in which the radiator 51 itself is situated has terminated.
[0035] Located in the connector 117 is a normally open tap 105; as is known, the tap 105
can be closed, in effect performing the function of bypass of the radiator system
only if there are not envisaged thermostatic radiator valves or zone valves for blocking
the flow circulating when the environment no longer requires heat;
- a safety valve 109 (normally at 3 bar) (Figure 1) inserted in the connector 114;
- the expansion vessel 58, a connector of which is inserted in the connector 111;
- the pump 59, the intake of which is hydraulically connected to the connector 112;
- a tap 116 for charging the heating system 10, inserted in the connector 118; and
- the tap 107 for discharging the heating system 10, hydraulically associated to the
connector 106.
[0036] As has been said, the main advantage of the hollow enbloc header unit described above
is that it has a geometrical shape that can be equated to that of a technical plate
(or base) designed to contain, according to parallel-perpendicular axes, all the pipes
and connections with the safety and control devices of the heating system.
1. A hollow enbloc header unit (100) having a plurality of connectors designed to be
hydraulically connected to a heating system (10);
said unit (100) being
characterized in that it is substantially in the form of plate made of a single piece and comprises:
- a by-pass branch (200) shaped as a whole substantially like a Z in such a way that
at least a portion (103) thereof faces a pipe (108) belonging to a cold-water return
branch (250), or else a hot-water delivery branch (250), which is also as a whole
substantially Z-shaped.
2. The unit (100) as claimed to Claim 1, characterized in that said by-pass branch (200) lies in a plane (Π) , and in that said cold-water return branch (250), or else said hot-water delivery branch (250),
lies in a plane (Ψ); said planes (Π) and (Ψ) being perpendicular to one another.
3. The unit (100) as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that at least one axis ((X), (X*), (Y)) of at least one portion (102, 103, 110A) of said
by-pass branch (200), and at least one axis (Y*) of at least one portion (108) of
the cold-water return branch (250), or else of the hot-water delivery branch (250),
lie in one and the same plane (Π).
4. The unit (100) as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said by-pass branch (200), and said cold-water return branch (250), or else said
hot-water delivery branch (250), cross one another in a point (P).
5. The unit (100) as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that the point (P) is simultaneously in the planes (Π) and (Ψ).
6. The unit (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said by-pass branch (200), designed to guarantee a minimum flowrate of recirculation
of water through a heat exchanger (65) of a boiler (50) of the heating system (10),
comprises a connector (102) (with axis (X)), a pipe (103) (with axis (Y)) , and a
portion (110A) (with axis (X*)) of a pipe (110) (with axis (X*)).
7. The unit (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cold-water return branch (250), or else said hot-water delivery branch (250),
comprises a connector (113) (with axis (W*)), a pipe (108) (with axis (Y*)), and a
connector (112) (with axis (W)).
8. The unit (100), as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it further comprises:
- a part (10B) of a pipe (110) (with axis (X*)), said part terminating with a connector
(111);
- a connector (115) (with axis (Y**) parallel to the axes (Y), (Y*));
- a connector (106) (with axis (W**)) provided with a tap (107) for discharging the
heating system (10); and
- a connector (118) (with axis (W***)) provided with a tap (116) for charging the
heating system (10).
9. The unit (100) as claimed in Claim 8,
characterized in that it can be hydraulically connected to at least one of the following components:
- a header (102A) for hydraulic connection with a delivery pipe (53) of the heating
system (10);
- a differential by-pass valve (104);
- a safety valve (109);
- an expansion vessel (58);
- a pump (59);
- a tap (116) for charging the heating system (10); and
- a tap (107) for discharging the heating system (10).