HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM MANIFOLD

Abstract

 A heating/cooling system manifold (1) comprising a sleeve (2) having two openings, at least one arrangement of functional parts within the sleeve (2), and fixing means for mounting the functional parts to the sleeve (2) is described, the fixing means having a connection geometry (13).
Such a manifold should have a flow capacity as big as possible.
To this end, the connection geometry (13) is arranged on an outside of the sleeve (2) and a space between the fixing means is arranged within the sleeve (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating/cooling system manifold comprising a sleeve having two openings in a wall, at least one arrangement of functional parts within the sleeve, and fixing means for mounting the functional parts to the sleeve, the fixing means having a connection geometry.

[0002] Such a manifold is known, for example, from EP 1 426 695 A1. In this reference, the fixing means comprise two parts in form of tubular metal elements which are inserted into opposing openings in the sleeve and are connected to each other by means of a threaded connection inside the sleeve, wherein one tubular element comprises a male thread and the other tubular element comprises a female thread. When the two tubular elements are connected to each other, the area which is available for a flow through the sleeve is reduced, so that the fixing means increase the flow resistance through the tube.

[0003] The object underlying the invention is to have a flow capacity as big as possible in a cooling/heating system manifold.

[0004] This object is solved with a heating/cooling system manifold as described at the outset in that the connection geometry is arranged on an outside of the sleeve and a space between the fixing means is arranged within the sleeve.

[0005] The fixing means do not contact each other within the sleeve. Thus, the fixing means leave more space available for the flow than in the known manifold. The larger the area which is available for the flow, the smaller is the flow resistance and the larger is the flow capacity.

[0006] In an embodiment the sleeve comprises two openings in a circumferential wall. Parts of the fixing means are inserted into the openings, but do not have a contact in the interior of the sleeve.

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention the fixing means are connected to each other on the outside of the sleeve by means of a screw connection. It is, for example, possible to use a couple of screws which are arranged tangentially to the tube. Such a screw connection can connect the fixing means with sufficient reliability. Other ways of connecting the parts of the fixing means are possible, for example welding.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention the fixing means comprise a first part and a second part which parts are mounted to the sleeve from opposite sides of the sleeve, wherein only one of the parts comprises a functional element which can be actuated from the outside of the tube. This makes the construction of the manifold quite simple. There is one "active" part which comprises the functional element and one "passive part" which is only the counter part for the functional element, and which is not actuated from the outside. The opposite sides are arranged on both sides of a longitudinal centre axis of the sleeve, i. e. they are arranged on a diameter, when the sleeve has a circular cross section.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention the functional element is a valve element guided in a housing which is mounted to the first part. The valve element can be moved within the housing. The housing in turn is fixed to the first part of the fixing means.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention the second part comprises a valve seat, wherein the valve element can be moved into the valve seat. When the valve is open, there is a certain space between the valve element and the valve seat. In order to close the valve, the valve element is moved into the valve seat. In this case it is of advantage when the valve element is provided with a sealing ring sealing to an inner side of the valve seat. In this way it is possible to completely close the valve.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention a spring acts on the valve element in opening direction, when the spring rests against the second part. The second part does not only bear the valve seat but is also an end stop for the spring. This facilitates the assembly of the manifold. The two parts can be mounted to the sleeve. Thereafter, the housing of the valve element is fixed to the first part of the fixing means and the spring is automatically pretensioned when the spring comes into contact with the second part of the fixing means.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention the valve element comprises a hollow stem and the spring is guided in the hollow stem. This is a simple way to achieve an alignment between the valve element and the valve seat. The spring is not only guided in a hollow stem, but it is also fixed on the second part of the fixing means in all directions transversally to the acting direction of the spring. Thus, when the valve element has approached the second part, the spring aligns the valve element to the second part and in this way to the valve seat.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention a flow limiter is arranged in the second part, wherein the flow limiter comprises a limiter element and a limiter spring acting on the limiter element in an opening direction. Such a flow limiter is advantageous, when a return fluid from the system enters the manifold from the side of the second part of the fixing means. When the flow from the system increases this increased flow will act on the limiter element and compress the limiter spring, so that the limiter element is moved in a direction towards a limiter valve seat. The smaller the distance between the limiter element and the limiter valve seat is, the larger is the flow resistance for the flow from the system into the manifold.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention the limiter spring rests against the valve element. Thus, no additional parts are necessary to form a stop for the limiter spring.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention at least one of the openings comprises a non-circular shape and the fixing means protrude into this opening with a geometry adapted to the non-circular shape. This is a simple way to secure a correct position of the fixing means or at least for one part of the fixing means to the sleeve. The part of the fixing means can be mounted to the sleeve only in one angular position so that the correct alignment to the second part of the fixing means is automatically achieved.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention the connection geometry forms alignment means. This is a further possibility to achieve the correct alignment of the parts of the fixing means. When the alignment of the parts of the fixing means is correct, the alignment of the valve element with respect to the valve seat is also achieved.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention a connection piece is mounted to the fixing means in a tiltable manner. Thus, the connection piece forms a flexible part to connect tubes to different parts of the system with the manifold. This makes it easier to mount the tubes to the manifold.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention the connection piece may comprise within the fixing means a head having at least partly a spherical form. The spherical form of the head of the connection piece allows a certain angular movement of the connection piece within the fixing means.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention the head is provided with a sealing ring. The sealing ring seals against a leakage in any possible angular position of the connection piece.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention the connection piece is held in the fixing means by means of a holding element gripping under the head and being inserted into the fixing means from the outside. Thus, the connection piece cannot be withdrawn from the fixing means. A housing of a functional part on the other side of the sleeve can be connected to the fixing means in the same way. In this case the holding element can grip in a groove of the housing.

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1

shows a manifold of a heating/cooling system,

Fig. 2

shows an enlarged view of a part of the manifold according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

shows the manifold of Fig. 2 in a sectional perspective view,

Fig. 4

shows a second embodiment of fixing means and functional parts, and

Fig. 5

shows the embodiment of Fig. 4 in a sectional perspective view in a somewhat larger scale.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a manifold 1 of a heating/cooling system. The manifold 1 comprises a sleeve 2 having openings 3, 4 (Fig. 2) in a circumferential wall of the sleeve 2. The manifold comprises at least one arrangement of functional parts 5 and fixing means for mounting the functional parts 5 to the sleeve 2. The fixing means have a connection geometry 6 (Fig. 3 to 5).

[0023] Fig. 1 shows that the manifold 1 can have more than one arrangement of functional parts 5. The arrangements of functional parts 5 can have different forms. They can form, for example, a valve arrangement, a simple connection arrangement, pre-setting means or a flow meter.

[0024] However, the invention will now be described with reference to a valve (Fig. 2 to 5) as an example.

[0025] The fixing means 5 comprise a first part 7 and a second part 8 which are connected to each other by means of screws 9, 10. However, the screws 9, 10 are arranged outside the sleeve 2. The parts 7, 8 of the fixing means 5 do not contact each other in an inner space 11 of the sleeve, but a distance 12 is provided between the first part 7 and the second part 8.

[0026] Thus, the parts 7, 8 which are not connected within the sleeve 2 leave free a quite large area for a flow through the tube 2 and thus for a flow through the manifold 1.

[0027] As can be seen in particular in Fig. 2 and 3, the first part 7 and the second part 8 are mounted to the sleeve 2 from opposite sides of a diameter of the sleeve. The screws 9, 10 are arranged basically tangentially to the circumference of the sleeve 2.

[0028] The two parts 7, 8 comprise a connection geometry 13 which serves as alignment means for aligning the two parts 7, 8 of the fixing means 5 in relation to each other. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the connection geometry 13 shows a triangular protrusion in the first part 7 and a triangular groove in the second part 8. However, other connection geometries are possible.

[0029] Only the first part 7 comprises a functional element in form of a valve element 14. The valve element 14 is guided in a housing 15. The housing 15 is fixed to the first part 7 by means of a holding element 16 which is, for example, U-shaped and shifted into a slot 17 in the first part 7. The fixing element 7 engages at the same time in a corresponding slot 18 in the housing 15.

[0030] The valve element 14 is connected to a stem 19 which is used for guiding the valve element 14 in the housing 15. The stem 19 is hollow and comprises a hollow space 20 in which an opening spring 21 is guided.

[0031] The second part 8 comprises a tube-like protrusion extending into the interior 11 of the space 2. The tube-like protrusion 22 forms a valve seat 23 at its end facing the valve element 14. The valve element 14 is provided with a sealing ring 24 at its circumference. The valve element 14 can be shifted not only towards the second part 8, but also into the tube-like protrusion 22. In this position, when the valve element 14 is inserted into the second part 8 of the fixing means, the valve is closed, since the sealing ring 24 seals against the tube-like protrusion 22.

[0032] When the valve is open, a distance between the valve element 14 and the valve seat 23 determines a flow resistance for a flow from the inside 11 of the tube 2 through the second part 8 to the outside.

[0033] The second part 8 comprises also a pin-like protrusion 25 in its centre. The spring 21 is mounted to this pin 25 with one end, so that the spring 21 is centred with respect to the second part 8 of the fixing means. When the spring 21 is centred and aligned, the valve element 14 is also aligned with respect to the valve seat 23.

[0034] A connection piece 26 is connected to the second part 8 of the fixing means. The connection piece 26 comprises a head 27 having at least partly a spherical form and is provided with a sealing ring 28. Thus, the connection piece 26 can be tilted within the second part 8 within certain limits thus facilitating the mounting of tubes with which the manifold 1 is connected to the heating or cooling system.

[0035] The connection piece 26 is fixed to the second part 8 by means of a fixing element 29 which is inserted into the second part 8 from one side (parallel to a tangent of the sleeve 2) and grips behind the head 27, so that the head 27 cannot be withdrawn from the second part 8.

[0036] Fig. 4 and 5 show a valve according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and 3 (however, without sleeve) and additionally with a flow limiter. The flow limiter comprises a limiter element 30 and a limiter spring 31. The limiter spring 31 rests against the valve element 14, however, on a radius, which is larger than the radius of the spring 21.

[0037] The limiter element 30 cooperates with a limiter valve seat 32 and comprises a number of radially extending protrusions 33. When a flow through the connection part 26 increases, in other words, a return flow, the limiter element 30 is shifted against the force of the limiter spring 31 in a direction towards the limiter valve seat 32 thus reducing the available flow area and increasing a flow resistance. Thus, the flow into the manifold 1 can be limited.

Claims

1. Heating/cooling system manifold (1) comprising a sleeve (2) having two openings (3, 4) in a wall, at least one arrangement (5) of functional parts within the sleeve (2), and fixing means for mounting the functional parts to the sleeve (2), the fixing means having a connection geometry (13), characterized in that the connection geometry (13) is arranged on an outside of the sleeve (2) and a space between the fixing means is arranged within the sleeve (2).

2. Manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means are connected to each other on the outside of the sleeve (2) by means of a screw connection (9, 10).

3. Manifold according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a first part (7) and a second part (8) which parts (7, 8) are mounted to the sleeve (2) from opposite sides of the sleeve (2), wherein only one of the parts (7, 8) comprise a functional element which can be actuated from the outside of the sleeve (2).

4. Manifold according to claim 3, characterized in that the functional element is a valve element (14) guided in a housing (15) which is mounted to the first part (7).

5. Manifold according to claim 4, characterized in that the second part (8) comprises a valve seat (23), wherein the valve element (14) can be moved into the valve seat (23).

6. Manifold according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a spring (21) acts on the valve element (14) in opening direction, wherein the spring (21) rests against the second part (8).

7. Manifold according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve element (14) comprises a hollow stem (19) and the spring (21) is guided in the hollow stem (19).

8. Manifold according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a flow limiter is arranged in the second part (8), wherein the flow limiter comprises a limiter element (30) and a limiter spring (31) acting on the limiter element (30) in an opening direction.

9. Manifold according to claim 8, characterized in that the limiter spring (31) rests against the valve element (14).

10. Manifold according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the openings (3, 4) comprises a non-circular shape and the fixing means protrude into this opening (3, 4) with a geometry adapted to the non-circular shape.

11. Manifold according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connection geometry (13) forms alignment means.

12. Manifold according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a connection piece (26) is mounted to the fixing means in a tiltable manner.

13. Manifold according to claim 12, characterized in that the connection piece (26) comprises within the fixing means a head (27) having at least partly a spherical form.

14. Manifold according to claim 13, characterized in that the head (27) is provided with a sealing ring (28).

15. Manifold according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the connection piece (26) is held in the fixing means by means of a holding element (29) gripping under the head (27) and being inserted into the fixing means from the outside.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Heating/cooling system manifold (1) comprising a sleeve (2) having two openings (3, 4) in a wall, at least one arrangement (5) of functional parts within the sleeve (2), and fixing means for mounting the functional parts to the sleeve (2), the fixing means having a connection geometry (13) for aligning parts (7, 8) of the fixing means in relation to each other, characterized in that the connection geometry (13) is arranged on an outside of the sleeve (2) and a space between the fixing means is arranged within the sleeve (2).

Drawing