Apparatus for managing the flow of a liquid

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for managing the flow of liquids, and in particular apparatus for managing the flow of domestic water, preferably associated with domestic water distribution networks and the like.

[0002] More in particular, the invention relates to the structure of an apparatus for managing the flow of a liquid, comprising an outer casing defining an inner chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet for the pressurized liquid, and more preferably to an apparatus to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network, wherein the inlet of said chamber is operatively associable with the discharge of a pump and the outlet is operatively connected to the water network. For example, the invention relates to an apparatus such as the one described in the Italian patent application FI2012A000079.

[0003] US6305416 B1 discloses an apparatus according to the state of the art.

Object and summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to produce an apparatus for managing the flow of a liquid, preferably but not exclusively an apparatus to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network, which is easy to use, structurally simple, can be rapidly assembled and allows a certain degree of flexibility in production.

[0005] These and other objects, which will be more apparent below, are achieved with an apparatus according the accompanying claim 1, presented below.

[0006] In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for managing the flow of a liquid, comprising an outer casing defining an inner chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid; this apparatus is characterized in that it comprises on said outer casing a system for fitting a gauge for detecting and/or measuring from the outside the pressure in said inner chamber; this system being provided with a channel for fluid communication between said chamber and the outside of said casing, and fixing means adapted to fix to said outer casing (11), alternatively to one another,

• a gauge-holder body, with which the gauge is associated, so that the channel is in fluid communication with an operating area provided in said gauge-holder body associated with the sensitive portion of said gauge,

or

• a closing element, removable, for said channel, adapted to close said channel with seal when the gauge-holder body is not associated with the casing.

[0007] In practice, due to this arrangement, the apparatus can leave the factory with the gauge already associated with the casing, or without a gauge but with an element that closes the outer chamber with seal and thus allows the device to operate also without a gauge. In the case in which it is necessary to associate the gauge with the casing, it is simply sufficient to remove the closing element and position the gauge-holder body with the gauge inserted therein.

[0008] Preferably, the apparatus comprises means adapted to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network, wherein said inlet of said chamber is operatively associable with the discharge of a pump and said outlet is operatively connected to the water network; this apparatus comprises a system for detecting and/or measuring the flow of water through said outlet adapted to emit a signal to start the pump upon reaching a preset flow threshold value, and a device for detecting and/or measuring the pressure in the chamber adapted to emit a signal to start the pump of the network upon reaching a preset value defined "restart pressure"; the gauge is adapted to detect and/or measure the pressure in the chamber and to make it visible to the operator.

[0009] The casing comprises an open central portion in which there is defined at least part of said chamber and a closing bell element of said central portion; this bell element is reversibly fixed to the central portion; the gauge-holder body is blocked between the central portion and the bell element.

[0010] According to preferred embodiments, the fixing means comprise a guide provided on said central portion and a sliding part complementary to said guide, provided on said gauge-holder body; the gauge-holder body is abutting against a first stop present on the central portion and, on the opposite side to the first stop with respect to its extension, is abutting against a second stop defined on said bell element.

[0011] Preferably, the bell element comprises a flange for fixing to a counter-flange defined on said central portion of casing; this counter-flange comprises a plurality of peripheral bushings for housing respective threaded elements for connection with the flange of the bell element; the guide for the gauge-holder body is provided on a said bushing.

[0012] In other embodiments, the fixing means can exclude the aforesaid guide and consist, for example, of a simple fixing by means of fixing screws that pass through the gauge-holder body and engage on the casing.

[0013] According to preferred embodiments, the gauge-holder body comprises a base on which to fix the gauge, from which there extends a duct inside which the sensitive portion of said gauge is inserted; this duct is in direct communication with said channel; from the base there extends a lateral wall defining a compartment for housing the gauge, provided with a front opening toward the outside at the display of the gauge; preferably, there is present an annular gasket at the front opening of said compartment.

[0014] Preferably, the chamber is delimited by an elastically deformable wall adapted to react to the pressure of the liquid in the chamber; preferably there is present an elastic spring acting between said wall and the bottom of said bell element.

Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 represents a front view of an apparatus according to the invention, in this example an apparatus to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network;

Fig. 2 represents a schematic exploded axonometric view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents a bottom view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 represents a portion of the apparatus as in the bottom view of Fig. 3, partially sectioned and without the second bell element;

Fig. 5 represents a partially sectioned exploded bottom view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 represents a partially sectioned exploded bottom view of the gauge-holder body of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 represents a rear view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, partially sectioned and with the gauge-holder body separated from the outer casing;

Fig. 8 shows a portion of the casing, relating to the area of application of the gauge-holder body, in the operating arrangement without gauge-holder body.

Fig. 9 shows the portion of the casing of Fig. 8, with the gauge-holder body fixed to the casing (in a variant with respect to the preceding figures)

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0016] With reference to the aforesaid figures, an apparatus according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number 10. In this example, preferably, this apparatus is an apparatus to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network, such as the one described in the Italian patent application FI2012A000079, which is referred to herein.

[0017] This apparatus 10 comprises an outer casing 11 defining an inner chamber 12 provided with an inlet 13 and an outlet 14 for the liquid. The inlet is, for example, operatively associable with the discharge of a pump (not shown in the figures), while the outlet 14 is, for example, operatively connected to the water network (not shown in the figures). This apparatus 10 in practice comprises means adapted to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network, i.e. a system for detecting and/or measuring the flow of water through the outlet 14 (for example a flow meter or a flow switch, not shown in the figures) adapted to emit a signal to start the pump upon reaching a preset flow threshold value, and a device adapted to detect and/or measure the pressure in the chamber 12, such as a pressure switch (not shown in the figures), that allows the emission of a signal to start the pump of the network upon reaching a preset value defined "restart pressure", as described, for example, in the aforesaid patent application no. FI2012A000079.

[0018] In this example, one side of the chamber 12 is delimited by an elastically deformable wall 19 (of which only a small portion is visible in Figs. 4, 8 and 9) adapted to react to the pressure of the liquid in the chamber. In this example, there is present an elastic spring 20 (of which only some coils are visible in Fig. 4) acting between the deformable wall 19 and the bottom of the first bell element 11B, as shown schematically in Fig. 4. For example, there is fixed to the elastically deformable wall 19 a body (not visible in the figures) that moves with the same wall 19 in a given direction and is movable along this direction as a function of the pressure value. The pressure switch is capable of determining the pressure in the chamber 12 based on the position of this body in the chamber.

[0019] According to the invention, on said outer casing there is present a system for fitting a gauge 15, to allow the pressure in the inner chamber 12 to be detected and/or measured from the outside. This system makes it possible to have a gauge already associated with the apparatus when it leaves the factory, or to install it simply and rapidly subsequently, if required.

[0020] This gauge 15 is in fluid communication with the inside of the chamber 12, by means of at least one channel 17 passing through the casing and exiting therefrom, better described below.

[0021] According to the fitting system, when the gauge 15 is not associated with the apparatus, i.e. with the casing, there is present at least one closing element 31 of this channel 17, so that the apparatus can operate even when the gauge is not applied, as better explained below.

[0022] Therefore, the fitting system is provided with fixing means to fix the gauge (or more precisely, a gauge-holder body) or this closing element to the casing, naturally alternatively to one another, in the sense that either the gauge or the closing element of the channel 17 is present.

[0023] Hereinafter, reference will be made to the case of the gauge already associated with the casing.

[0024] The gauge 15 is mounted on a gauge-holder body 16, which is fixed to the casing 11 by means of the aforesaid reversible fixing means, illustrated in detail below.

[0025] On the casing 11 there is present said channel 17 that allows fluid communication between the chamber 12 with an operating area 18 in the gauge-holder body 16 associated with the sensitive portion 15A of the gauge 15, so that the gauge is capable of sensing the pressure of the liquid in the chamber.

[0026] The casing 11 comprises a central portion 11A, open, in which there is defined at least part of the chamber 12, and a first bell element 11B for closing this open central portion 11A.

[0027] In this example, as already mentioned, on one side thereof the chamber 12 is delimited by the elastically deformable wall 19 (of which only a small portion is visible in Figs. 4, 8 and 9) adapted to react to the pressure of the liquid in the chamber. In this example there is present an elastic spring 20 (of which only a few coils are visible in Fig. 4) acting between the deformable wall 19 and the bottom of the first bell element 11B, as shown schematically in Fig. 4.

[0028] Preferably, the first bell element 11B comprises a flange 21, provided with first through bushings 21A, for fixing to a counter-flange defined on the central portion 11A of the casing, which comprises a plurality of second peripheral bushings 22 for housing respective threaded elements 23 for connection with the flange 21 of the first bell element 11B.

[0029] Preferably, the casing 11 comprises a second further bell element 11C that is placed over the first bell element 11B and is fixed to this latter.

[0030] The gauge-holder body 16 comprises a base 16A on which to arrange the gauge 15. From this base 16A there extends a duct 16B inside which the sensitive portion 15A of the gauge 15 is inserted (for example this portion is externally threaded for coupling to the counter-threaded end part of the duct).

[0031] The duct 16B is in direct communication with the channel 17. From the base 16A there extends a lateral wall 16C that defines a compartment 16D for housing the gauge 15, provided with a front opening toward the outside at the display of the gauge. At the front opening of the compartment 16D there is present an annular gasket 16E that creates a seal between edge of the front opening and gauge. The lateral wall 16C is fixed to the base 16A by means of elastic coupling formed by at least one elastically deformable tooth 16F and a respective housing seat 16G.

[0032] The duct 16B comprise a first section 16B' in which there is present the sensitive portion 15A of the gauge, and a second section 16B", preferably orthogonal to the first section 16B', aligned with the axis of the channel 17 for communication with the chamber 12.

[0033] The reversible fixing means for fixing the gauge-holder body 16 to the casing 11 preferably comprise a guide 24 provided on the central portion 11A of the casing 11 and a sliding part 25 complementary to the guide 24, provided on the gauge-holder body 16, so that the gauge-holder body is inserted in the guide 24 and blocked thereon. Preferably, the gauge-holder body 16 is blocked between the central portion 11A and the first bell element 11B; more in particular, the gauge-holder body 16 is abutting against a first stop 26 present on the central portion 11A and on the opposite side against a second stop 27 defined on the first bell element 11B.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 24 is produced on a bushing 22' of the counter-flange of the central portion 11A of the casing 11.

[0035] Preferably, as can be seen in the sectioned part of Fig. 6, the bushing 22' has, for a section thereof, a mushroom shaped, or undercut, portion 22A, that allows coupling with the complementary sliding part 25 of the gauge-holder body.

[0036] Preferably, the direction of sliding of the gauge-holder body 16 on the bushing 22' is transverse (preferably orthogonal) to the direction of the fluid communication channel 17 between chamber 12 and operating area 18 in the gauge-holder body.

[0037] Appropriately, between the central portion 11A of the casing 11 and the gauge-holder body 16, in the area facing the channel 17 and the second section 16B", there are present seal means, such as preferably an annular gasket 28.

[0038] In other embodiments, the fixing means can exclude the aforesaid guide and consist, for example, of a simple fixing by means of fixing screws that pass through the gauge-holder body and engage on the casing.

[0039] Figs. 8 and 9 show a variant of the apparatus, in which the gauge-holder body 16 is not blocked between the stop 26 of the casing and the stop 27 of the bell element, ma is blocked between the stop 26 and a threaded blocking member 30, preferably a screw, passing through the gauge-holder body 16, preferably through the sliding part 25, and orthogonally entering said central portion 11A of the casing. In practice, this member 30 blocks at least the movement of the gauge-holder body 16 in the direction of sliding on the guide.

[0040] When the gauge-holder body is not present, the chamber 12 is isolated using the aforesaid closing element 31 of the channel 17, which is removable. In general, this removable closing element 31 is preferably a threaded element that comprises an enlarged head and a threaded stem that extends from said head and is adapted to couple with the thread obtained on the walls of the channel 17.

[0041] Appropriately, this head abuts against the seal means 28 arranged on the central portion around the inlet of the channel 17.

[0042] In this example, also the shape of the gauge-holder body differs from the one previously illustrated. In this second example the gauge-holder body 16 does not comprise the base 16A and the compartment 16D, but the gauge is screwed directly with the sensitive portion into the first section 16B' of the duct 16B.

[0043] Mounting the gauge on the casing is simple.

[0044] The gauge 15 is fixed to the base 16A of the gauge-holder body. The lateral wall 16C is coupled to the base 16A, interposing the annular gasket 16E between gauge and opening edge of the housing compartment.

[0045] The gauge-holder body 16 with the gauge 15 is then made to slide with the sliding part 25 on the guide 24 defined on the guide bushing 22', until it abuts on the first stop 26 obtained on the central portion 11A of the casing. The first bell element 11B is then arranged so that its flange 21 is on the counter-flange on the central portion 11A of the casing 11. By doing so the sliding part 25 of the gauge-holder body 16 is blocked between central portion 11A of the casing and the flange 21 of the first bell element 11B. The threaded elements, such as screws 23, are then inserted in the bushings 22, 21A, making the bell element integral with the central portion. Finally, the second bell element 11C is arranged.

[0046] In the case in which the closing element is present, it is sufficient to unscrew it from the channel before sliding of the gauge-holder body on the casing.

[0047] In the case of the version of Figs. 8 and 9, after the gauge-holder body has been taken to abut against the first stop 26, it is sufficient to tighten the blocking member 30.

[0048] This structure of apparatus allows very easy and rapid assembly, low production costs and low risks of separation between gauge and apparatus. Moreover, it allows the apparatus to be produced without a gauge and the gauge to be associated subsequently.

Claims

1. Apparatus for managing the flow of a liquid, comprising

- an outer casing (11) separating the apparatus from the external environment, said outer casing defining an inner chamber (12) provided with an inlet (13) and an outlet (14) for the liquid,

- on said outer casing (11), a system for fitting a gauge (15) for detecting and/or measuring from the outside of the apparatus, the pressure in said inner chamber (12), said system being provided with

- a channel (17) for fluid communication between said chamber (12) and the outside of said casing,

- a gauge-holder body (16), with which said gauge (15) is associated, so that said channel is in fluid communication with an operating area (18) in said gauge-holder body (16) associated with the sensitive portion (15A) of said gauge (15),

- fixing means (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) adapted to fix to the external side of said outer casing (11), alternatively to one another, said gauge-holder body (16), or a closing element, removable, for said channel, adapted to close said channel with seal when said gauge-holder body is not associated with said casing,

wherein said casing (11) comprises an open central portion (11A) in which there is defined at least part of said chamber (12) and a closing bell element (11B) of said central portion (11A), said bell element (11B) being reversibly fixed to said central portion (11A), said gauge-holder body (16) being blocked between said central portion (11A) and said bell element (11B).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means adapted to control start-up and shut-down of a pump of a water distribution network, wherein said inlet (13) of said chamber (12) is operatively associable with the discharge of a pump and said outlet (14) is operatively connected to the water network, said apparatus comprising a system for detecting and/or measuring the flow of water through said outlet adapted to emit a signal to start the pump upon reaching a preset flow threshold value, and a device for detecting and/or measuring the pressure in said chamber (12) adapted to emit a signal to start the pump of the network upon reaching a preset value defined "restart pressure", said gauge (15) being adapted to detect and/or measure the pressure in said chamber (12) and to make it visible to the operator.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a further bell element (11C) that is placed over said bell element (11B) is present.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said fixing means (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) comprise a guide (24) provided on said central portion (11A) and a sliding part (25), complementary to said guide (24), provided on said gauge-holder body (16); said gauge-holder body (16) abutting against a first stop (26) present on said central portion (11A).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said fixing means (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) comprise a second stop (27), preferably defined on said bell element (11B), on the opposite side with respect to said first stop (26), against which said gauge-holder body (16) abuts, adapted to block the movement of said gauge-holder body (16) in the direction of sliding to exit from said guide.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said fixing means (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) comprise a threaded blocking member (30), preferably a screw, passing through said gauge-holder body (16) and entering said open central portion (11A), said member blocking at least the movement of said gauge-holder body (16) in the direction of sliding on said guide; preferably, the axis of said threaded blocking member being orthogonal to the surface of said bell element into which it enters.

7. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, wherein there is present at least one threaded element (23) adapted to connect said bell element (11B) and said central portion (11A) of casing and passing in proximity of said gauge-holder body (16).

8. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, wherein said bell element (11B) comprises a flange (21) for fixing to a counter-flange defined on said central portion of casing (11A), said counter-flange comprising a plurality of peripheral bushings (22, 22') for housing respective threaded elements (23) for connection with the flange (21) of said bell element (11B), said guide (24) for said gauge-holder body (16) being provided on a said peripheral bushing (22').

9. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 3 to 7, wherein the direction of sliding of said gauge-holder body (16) is transverse to the direction of said fluid communication channel (17) of said chamber (12) with a operating area (18) in said gauge-holder body (16).

10. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein between said central portion (11A) of casing and said gauge-holder body (16), at said channel (17) and said operating area (18), there are present seal means (28), such as preferably an annular gasket.

11. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said gauge-holder body (16) comprises a base (16A) on which to fix the gauge (15), from said base (16A) there extends a duct (16B) inside which the sensitive portion of said gauge (15) is inserted, said duct (16B) being in direct communication with said channel (17), from said base (16A) there extends a lateral wall (16C) defining a compartment (16D) for housing said gauge (15), provided with a front opening toward the outside at the display of the gauge; preferably there being present an annular gasket (16E) at the front opening of said compartment; preferably, said duct (16B) comprises a first section (16B') in which there is present said sensitive portion (15A) of the gauge, and a second section (16B"), transverse, preferably orthogonal to said first section, aligned with the axis of said channel.

12. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 10, wherein said chamber (12) is delimited by an elastically deformable wall (19) adapted to react to the variation in the pressure of the liquid in the chamber; preferably there being present an elastic spring (20) acting between said elastically deformable wall (19) and the bottom of said bell element (11B).

13. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element, removable, for said channel (17), is a threaded element, preferably a screw, that comprises an enlarged head and a threaded stem that extends from said head and adapted to couple with the thread obtained on the walls of said channel, said head abutting against seal means (28), such as preferably an annular gasket, arranged on said central portion (11A) of casing around the inlet of said channel (17).

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zur Steuerung des Durchflusses einer Flüssigkeit mit

einem äußeren Gehäuse (11), das die Vorrichtung von der äußeren Umgebung trennt, wobei das äußere Gehäuse eine innere Kammer (12) definiert, die mit einem Einlass (13) und einem Auslass (14) für die Flüssigkeit versehen ist,

einem System zur Anbringung eines Messinstruments (15) an dem äußeren Gehäuse (11) zur Erfassung und/oder Messung von außerhalb der Vorrichtung des Drucks in der inneren Kammer (12), wobei das System versehen ist mit

einem Kanal (17) für eine Fluidverbindung zwischen der Kammer (12) und der Außenseite des Gehäuses,

einem Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16), der dem Messinstrument (15) zugeordnet ist, sodass der Kanal in Fluidverbindung mit einem Betriebsbereich (18) in dem Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) steht, der einem sensitiven Bereich (15A) des Messinstruments (15) zugeordnet ist,

Befestigungsmitteln (23, 24, 25, 26, 27), die ausgebildet sind, um alternativ zu einander den Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) oder ein Verschlusselement, das für den Kanal entfernbar ist, das ausgebildet ist, um den Kanal mit einer Dichtung zu verschließen, wenn der Messinstrument-Haltekörper nicht dem Gehäuse zugeordnet ist, an der äußeren Seite des äußeren Gehäuses (11) zu befestigen,

wobei das Gehäuse (11) einen offenen Mittelteil (11A), in dem mindestens ein Teil der Kammer (12) definiert ist, und ein Verschluss-Glockenelement (11B) des Mittelteils (11A) aufweist, wobei das Glockenelement (11B) reversibel mit dem Mittelteil (11A) verbunden ist, wobei der Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) zwischen dem Mittelteil (11A) und dem Glockenelement (11B) blockiert ist.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 mit einer Einrichtung, die ausgebildet ist, um das Anfahren und das Abstellen einer Pumpe eines Wasser-Verteilungsnetzwerks zu steuern, wobei der Einlass (13) der Kammer (12) betriebsmäßig dem Ablass einer Pumpe zugeordnet werden kann und der Auslass (14) betriebsmäßig mit dem Wassernetzwerk verbunden ist, wobei die Vorrichtung ein System zur Erfassung und/oder Messung des Durchflusses von Wasser durch den Auslass aufweist, das ausgebildet ist, um ein Signal abzugeben, um die Pumpe des Netzwerks bei Erreichen eines vorgegebenen Wertes, der als "Neustart-Druck" definiert ist, anzufahren, wobei das Messinstrument (15) ausgebildet ist, um den Druck in der Kammer (12) zu erfassen und/oder zu messen und ihn für die Bedienungsperson sichtbar zu machen.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei ein weiteres Glockenelement (11C), das über dem Glockenelement (11B) platziert ist, vorhanden ist.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Befestigungsmittel (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) eine Führung (24) aufweisen, die auf dem Mittelteil (11A) vorgesehen ist, und einen Schiebeteil (25), der komplementär zu der Führung (24) ist, der auf dem Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) vorgesehen ist, wobei der Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) gegen einen ersten Anschlag (26) anstößt, der auf dem Mittelteil (11A) vorgesehen ist.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Befestigungsmittel (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) einen zweiten Anschlag (27) aufweisen, der vorzugsweise auf dem Glockenelement (11B) an der gegenüberliegenden Seite mit Bezug auf den ersten Anschlag (26) vorgesehen ist, gegen den der Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) anschlägt, der ausgebildet ist, um die Bewegung des Messinstrument-Haltekörper (60) in der Richtung zur Verschiebung zum Verlassen der Führung zu blockieren.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei die Befestigungsmittel (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) ein mit Gewinde versehenes Blockierelement (30) aufweisen, vorzugsweise eine Schraube, die durch den Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) dringt und in den offenen Mittelteil (11A) eindringt, wobei das Element mindestens die Bewegung des Messinstrument-Haltekörpers (16) in der Richtung der Verschiebung auf der Führung blockiert, wobei vorzugsweise die Achse des mit Gewinde versehenden Blockierelements orthogonal zur Oberfläche des Glockenelements ist, in das es eindringt.

7. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, wobei mindestens ein Gewindeelement (23) vorhanden ist, das ausgebildet ist, um das Glockenelement (11B) und den Mittelteil (11A) des Gehäuses zu verbinden und in der Nähe des Messinstrument-Haltekörpers (16) passiert.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, wobei das Glockenelement (11B) einen Flansch (21) zur Befestigung an einem Gegenflansch aufweist, der an dem Mittelteil des Gehäuses (11A) definiert ist, wobei der Gegenflansch eine Anzahl von Umfangshülsen (22, 22') zur Aufnahme jeweiliger Gewindeelemente (23) zur Verbindung mit dem Flansch (21) des Glockenelements (11B) aufweist, wobei die Führung (24) für den Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) auf einer der Umfangshülsen (22') vorgesehen ist.

9. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 3 bis 7, wobei die Richtung der Verschiebung des Messinstrument-Haltekörpers (16) quer zu der Richtung des Fluid-Verbindungskanals (17) der Kammer (12) mit einem Betriebsbereich (18) in dem Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) ist.

10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei zwischen dem Mittelteil (11A) des Gehäuses und dem Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) an dem Kanal (17) und dem Betriebsbereich (18) eine Dichtungseinrichtung (28) vorgesehen ist, vorzugsweise wie eine ringförmige Dichtung.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Messinstrument-Haltekörper (16) eine Basis (16A) aufweist, die zur Befestigung des Messinstrument (15) dient, wobei von der Basis (16A) sich eine Leitung (16B) erstreckt, innerhalb derer der sensitive Teil des Messinstrument (15) eingefügt ist, wobei die Leitung (16B) in direkter Kommunikation mit dem Kanal (17) steht, wobei sich von der Basis (16A) eine seitliche Wand (16C) erstreckt, die eine Abteilung (16D) zur Aufnahme des Messinstrument (15) definiert, die mit einer vorderen Öffnung zu der Außenseite an der Anzeige des Messinstrument versehen ist, wobei vorzugsweise eine ringförmige Dichtung (16G) an der vorderen Öffnung der Abteilung vorhanden ist, wobei vorzugsweise die Leitung (16B) einen ersten Abschnitt (16B') aufweist, in dem der sensitive Teil (15A) des Messinstrument vorhanden ist, und einen zweiten Abschnitt (16B"), der quer, vorzugsweise orthogonal zu dem ersten Abschnitt ist, der mit der Achse des Kanals ausgerichtet ist.

12. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 2 bis 10, wobei die Kammer (12) durch eine elastisch deformierbare Wand (19) begrenzt ist, die ausgebildet ist, um auf eine Variation im Druck der Flüssigkeit in der Kammer zu reagieren, wobei vorzugsweise eine elastische Feder (20) zwischen der elastisch deformierbaren Wand (19) und dem Unterteil des Glockenelements (11B) wirkt.

13. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Verschlusselement, das für den Kanal (17) entfernbar ist, ein Gewindeelemente ist, vorzugsweise eine Schraube, die einen vergrößerten Kopf und einen Gewindeschaft aufweist, der sich von dem Kopf erstreckt und ausgebildet ist, um mit dem Gewinde zusammenwirken, das an den Wänden des Kanals vorgesehen ist, wobei der Kopf gegen die Dichtungseinrichtung (28), vorzugsweise eine ringförmige Dichtung, anliegt, die an dem Mittelteil (11A) des Gehäuses um den Einlass des Kanals (17) herum angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Appareil de gestion de l'écoulement d'un liquide, comprenant :

- un boîtier externe (11) séparant l'appareil de l'environnement extérieur, ledit boîtier externe définissant une chambre interne (12) pourvue d'une entrée (13) et d'une sortie (14) pour le liquide,

- sur ledit boîtier externe (11), un système pour fixer un manomètre (15) pour détecter et/ou mesurer depuis l'extérieur de l'appareil, la pression dans ladite chambre interne (12), ledit système étant pourvu de

- un canal (17) pour une communication fluidique entre ladite chambre (12) et l'extérieur dudit boîtier,

- un corps porte-manomètre (16), auquel ledit manomètre (15) est associée, de sorte que ledit canal est en communication fluidique avec une zone de fonctionnement (18) dans ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) associée avec la partie sensible (15A) dudit manomètre (15),

- des moyens de fixation (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) aptes à fixer au côté extérieur dudit boîtier externe (11), alternativement l'un et l'autre, ledit corps porte-manomètre (16), ou un élément de fermeture, amovible, pour ledit canal, apte à fermer ledit canal de façon étanche lorsque ledit corps porte-manomètre n'est pas associé audit boîtier,

dans lequel ledit boîtier (11) comprend une partie centrale ouverte (11A) dans laquelle est formée au moins une partie de ladite chambre (12) et un élément formant sonnerie de fermeture (11B) de ladite partie centrale (11A), ledit élément formant sonnerie (11A) étant fixé de manière réversible à ladite partie centrale (11A), ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) étant bloqué entre ladite partie centrale (11A) et ledit élément formant sonnerie (11B).

2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, comprenant des moyens aptes à commander le démarrage et l'arrêt d'une pompe d'un réseau de distribution d'eau, dans lequel ladite entrée (13) de ladite chambre (12) peut être associée pour fonctionner avec l'évacuation d'une pompe et ladite sortie (14) est connectée pour fonctionner avec le réseau d'eau, ledit appareil comprenant un système pour détecter et/ou mesurer l'écoulement de l'eau à travers ladite sortie apte à émettre un signal pour démarrer la pompe lorsqu'une valeur de seuil de débit prédéterminée est atteinte, et un dispositif pour détecter et/ou mesurer la pression dans ladite chambre (12) apte à émettre un signal pour démarrer la pompe du réseau lorsqu'une valeur prédéterminée définie comme « pression de redémarrage » est atteinte, ledit manomètre (15) étant apte à détecter et/ou mesurer la pression dans ladite chambre (12) et à la rendre visible à l'opérateur.

3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel un autre élément formant sonnerie (11C) placé au-dessus dudit élément formant sonnerie (11B) est présent.

4. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel lesdits moyens de fixation (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) comprennent un guide (24) prévu sur ladite partie centrale (11A) et une partie coulissante (25), complémentaire audit guide (24), prévue sur ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) ; ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) étant en butée contre une première butée (26) présente sur ladite partie centrale (11A).

5. Appareil selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lesdits moyens de fixation (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) comprennent une deuxième butée (27), de préférence formée sur ledit élément formant sonnerie (11A), du côté opposé à ladite première butée (26), contre laquelle ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) vient en butée, apte à bloquer le mouvement dudit corps porte-manomètre (16) dans la direction de coulissement pour sortir dudit guide.

6. Appareil selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel lesdits moyens de fixation (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) comprennent un organe de blocage fileté (30), de préférence une vis, passant à travers ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) et entrant dans ladite partie centrale (11A), ledit organe bloquant au moins le mouvement dudit corps porte-manomètre (16) dans la direction de coulissement dudit guide ; de préférence, l'axe dudit organe de blocage fileté étant perpendiculaire à la surface dudit élément formant sonnerie dans lequel il entre.

7. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 3 à 5, dans lequel est présent au moins un élément fileté (23) apte à connecter ledit élément formant sonnerie (11B) et ladite partie centrale (11A) de boîtier et passant à proximité dudit corps porte-manomètre (16).

8. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 3 à 6, dans lequel ledit élément formant sonnerie (11B) comprend une bride (21) destinée à une fixation à une contre-bride formée dans ladite partie centrale de boîtier (11A), ladite contre-bride comprenant une pluralité de douilles périphériques (22, 22') pour loger des éléments filetés respectifs (23) pour une connexion avec la bride (21) dudit élément formant sonnerie (11B), ledit guide (24) pour ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) étant prévu sur l'une desdites douilles périphériques (22').

9. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 3 à 7, dans lequel la direction de coulissement dudit corps porte-manomètre (16) est perpendiculaire à la direction dudit canal de communication fluidique (17) de ladite chambre (12) avec une zone de fonctionnent dans ledit corps porte-manomètre (16).

10. Appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel entre ladite partie centrale (11A) de boîtier et ledit corps porte-manomètre (16), au niveau dudit canal (17) et de ladite zone de fonctionnement (18), se trouvent des moyens d'étanchéité (28), tels que de préférence un joint annulaire.

11. Appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit corps porte-manomètre (16) comprend une base (16A) sur laquelle le manomètre (15) est à fixer, depuis ladite base (16A) s'étend un conduit (16B) à l'intérieur duquel la partie sensible dudit manomètre (15) est insérée, ledit conduit (16B) étant en communication directe avec ledit canal (17), depuis ladite base (16A) s'étend une paroi latérale (16C) formant un compartiment (16D) pour loger ledit manomètre (15), pourvu d'une ouverture frontale vers l'extérieur au niveau de l'affichage du manomètre ; de préférence un joint annulaire (16E) est présent au niveau de l'ouverture frontale dudit compartiment ; de préférence ledit conduit (16B) comprend une première section (16B') dans laquelle est présente ladite partie sensible (15A) dudit manomètre, et une deuxième section (16B"), transversale, de préférence perpendiculaire à ladite première section, alignée avec l'axe dudit canal.

12. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 10, dans lequel ladite chambre (12) est délimitée par une paroi déformable élastiquement (19) apte à réagir à la variation de la pression du liquide dans la chambre ; de préférence il y a un ressort élastique (20) agissant entre ladite paroi déformable élastiquement (19) et le fond dudit élément formant sonnerie (11B).

13. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit élément de fermeture, amovible, pour ledit canal (17) est une élément fileté, de préférence une vis, qui comprend une tête élargie et une tige filetée qui s'étend depuis ladite tête et est apte à coopérer avec la vis obtenue sur les parois dudit canal, ladite tête venant en butée contre des moyens d'étanchéité (28), tels que de préférence un joint annulaire, agencé sur ladite partie centrale (11A) de boîtier autour de l'entrée dudit canal (17).

Drawing