[0001] The present invention concerns a valve assembly adapted for being used in combined
plants for providing both heating and sanitary hot water, i.e. residential plants
wherein the same heat source, particularly a wall gas-fired boiler, is used for heating
both the water for the heat radiating elements (radiators) for heating the rooms,
and the sanitary or domestic hot water for various purposes.
[0002] These plants use the so called "bithermal" or double action heat exchanger, comprising
a single body for heating both the water in the primary or heating circuit and the
sanitary water.
[0003] In these plants the hydraulic arrangement is presently made up by a number of components
that are assembled together by means of several pipes and connections. This requires
a large amount of labour, a high cost of the plant and a considerable availability
of space.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings
and limitations and more precisely to provide a valve assembly or group for realizing
plants of the above mentioned type, which is formed by two very compact sub-groups,
while at the same time providing all the functions requested in these type of plants,
both in view of the existing regulations and of technical reasons. Such assembly is
further flexible and easily connectible to the other components of the plant, and
has quite limited costs, both for its construction and installation.
[0005] According to the invention, such objects are achieved through a valve assembly for
combined plants adapted for providing both heating and sanitary hot water and comprising
a gas-fired boiler, a main gas/water of the double action type including an inner
circuit and an outer circuit, at least one radiator and a pump for circulating the
heating water, said valve assembly comprising two sub-groups or valve units mounted
on the same support plate, characterized in that
the first heating sub-group comprises two sections, communicating through an automatic
by-pass valve, the first section comprising a connection for said pump and a connection
for the return pipe from the heating plant; the second section comprising a connection
connected to the outer circuit of the heat exchanger and incorporating a check valve,
and a delivery connection to the heating plant, and in that
the second sanitary water distribution sub-group, comprises a connection for the
inlet of drinkable water, an outlet connection of the drinkable water and two connections
for the inner circuit of the double action heat exchanger, in proximity of one of
said connections for the heat exchanger there being provided a depression device,
whereas in proximity of the other connection there being provided a thermostatic device
for tempering the sanitary water.
[0006] Additional advantageous features are disclosed in the dependent claims.
[0007] The connections or coupling joints of the assembly according to the invention can
be either horizontal or vertical. According to an embodiment of the invention, for
filling the heating plant there is provided a communication device with or without
a so called disconnector (that is formed either as a simple connecting tube or via
a disconnecting device). Preferably both the sub-groups are formed as integral or
single blocks.
[0008] The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings illustrating
preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the construction of the valve assembly according
to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a top view of the valve assembly according to the invention; and
Fig. 3 is a front view of the valve assembly of Fig. 2.
[0009] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the construction of the valve assembly according
to the invention connected to a heating plant also supplying domestic hot water, i.
e. a plant capable of heating water that circulates in a closed circuit including
heat radiating elements, and of supplying upon request domestic hot water for various
uses, which plant employs the same heat source, more particularly a gas-fired boiler.
A preferred particular embodiment of the valve assembly and of the components thereof
is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
[0010] The valve assembly according to the invention comprises two sub-groups or valve units
that are preferably mounted on the same support plate 29 even when the components
are not to be connected to each other (Figures 2 and 3).
[0011] The first sub-group, also named heating sub-group, is formed by two sections, with
a first section comprising a connection 1 connected to a pump P and through this latter
to a heat exchanger 20, and a connection 5A also connected to the heat exchanger 20
and incorporating a check valve. In the present description the term connection is
used to mean a portion of a coupling joint, such as a flanged member comprising a
coupling nut or a threaded spigot.
[0012] The second section of the first sub-group comprises a delivery connection 8A to be
coupled with the heating plant, schematically represented by one element R, and a
connection 8 for the return from such heating plant.
[0013] The section including connections 1 and 8 communicates with the section including
connections 5A and 8A through an automatic by-pass valve 30 housed in a connecting
portion between the two sections and comprising a pan urged by a spring into a closing
position which hydraulically separates the two sections. A valve of this type is disclosed
for example in the Italian Utility Model Application No. MI92 U 000 577 filed on June
25, 1992 and its construction and purposes are therefore not further illustrated.
[0014] In the above mentioned connecting portion between the two sections there are further
provided two additional connections, namely a connection 9 for a safety valve (not
shown) and a connection 4 to an water gauge (not shown) controlling the pressure in
the primary circuit.
[0015] Finally, in the section including the connections 1, 8 there is provided a connection
3 for the draining water from the primary or heating circuit, whereas a connection
6 for a pressure difference device (if any and not shown in the drawings) is provided
in the section including the connections 5A, 8A.
[0016] The second sub-group or sanitary water distribution sub-group, comprises a connection
31 for the inlet of drinkable (tap) water connected to the waterworks, and an outlet
connection 32 of the drinkable water connected to the domestic sanitary water circuit,
that is to the various taps (not shown) of this latter. The sanitary water distribution
sub-group further comprises two connections 11A and 12A for the connection to the
inner circuit 22 of the heat exchanger 20. In the sanitary water distribution sub-group,
in proximity of the inlet connection 31 there is fitted a device 16 for manual adjusting
the flow rate, equipped with a filter 16A and a connection 10 for draining water from
the sanitary circuit.
[0017] In proximity of the connection 11A there is fitted a depression device 11, in case
equipped with a so called Mannesmann regulator for automatically regulating the water
flow. A device of this type is disclosed for example in the Italian Patent Application
No. MI92 A 000 575 filed on March 3, 1992 and its construction and purposes are therefore
not further illustrated.
[0018] Near the connection 12A there is fitted a thermostatic device 12 for tempering the
sanitary water when this latter reaches a high temperature. Devices 11 and 12 are
connected to each other by a duct 33. Between the duct 33 and the connection 31 there
is fitted a differential pressure flow valve 13 to which a double microswitch 14 is
associated. A signal SP from one of the microswitches actuates the pump P, whereas
the other signal SVG the microswitches controls the gas erogating valve (not shown).
[0019] Finally, in accordance with an alternate embodiment, a faucet 15 is provided for
supplying water to the heating plant, which is connected either through a tiny tube
36 or a disconnector 38 to the second section of the first sub-group, as shown in
Figures 1 to 3.
[0020] This device is requested by the regulations under some circumstances, and serves
to keep separated the sanitary water in the primary (or heating) circuit from the
water in the sanitary circuit.
[0021] Although the invention has been illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments,
in general the invention is capable of other applications and modifications that are
to be considered within the scope of the invention, as it will be clear to the skilled
in the art.
1. A valve assembly for combined plants adapted for providing both heating and sanitary
hot water and comprising a gas-fired boiler, a main gas/water of the double action
type including an inner circuit (22) and an outer circuit (21), at least one radiator
(R) and a pump (P) for circulating the heating water, said valve assembly comprising
two sub-groups or valve units mounted on the same support plate (29), characterized
in that
the first heating sub-group comprises two sections, communicating through an automatic
by-pass valve (30), the first section comprising a connection (1) for said pump (P)
and a connection (8) for the return pipe from the heating plant (R); the second section
comprising a connection (5A) connected to the outer circuit (21) of the heat exchanger
(20) and incorporating a check valve (5), and a delivery connection (8A) to the heating
plant (R), and in that
the second sanitary water distribution sub-group, comprises a connection (31) for
the inlet of drinkable water, an outlet connection (32) of the drinkable water and
two connections (11A, 12A) for the inner circuit (22) of the double action heat exchanger
(20), in proximity of one (11A) of said connections for the heat exchanger (20) there
being provided a depression device (11), whereas in proximity of the other (12A) connection
there being provided a thermostatic device (12) for tempering the sanitary water.
2. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first section further
comprises a connection (2) for an expansion tank.
3. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second section
further comprises a connection (3) for draining water from the primary (heating) circuit,
and a connection (4) for a water gauge controlling the pressure in the primary circuit.
4. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said second
section further comprises a connection (9) for a safety valve, and a connection (6)
for a pressure difference device.
5. A valve assembly as claimed in the preceeding claims, characterized in that in said
second sub-group devices (11, 12) are connected to each other by a duct (33) and in
that between said duct (33) and the connection (31) there is fitted a differential
pressure flow valve (13) to which a double microswitch 14 is associated.
6. A valve assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said second
sub-group provides, in proximity of the inlet connection (31), a device (16) for manual
adjusting the flow rate, equipped with a filter (16A), and a connection (10) for draining
water from the sanitary plant.
7. A valve assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said pressure
difference device (11) houses a flow regulator (80) of the so called Mannesmann valve
type.
8. A valve assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that it provides
a faucet (15) for supplying water to the heating plant, which is connected (36) between
the connection (10) for draining the sanitary plant and the second section of the
first sub-group.