• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A method and a system for saving liquid and thermal energy, where a centrally located source of liquid is connected via separate feeding conduits to a plurality of liquid tap units. Each feeding conduit (FC1) is connected to a dampening chamber (Dl) via a passage (OP1) containing an inlet (INI) to a liquid valve (VI) adapted to open when liquid reaches the inlet, so that liquid will flow from the feeding conduit to the associated liquid tap unit (LT1).
    公开号:SE1550941A1
    申请号:SE1550941
    申请日:2015-07-02
    公开日:2017-01-03
    发明作者:Abbing Erik
    申请人:3Eflow Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and a liquid distribution system for saying liquidand thermal energy, where a centrally located source of liquid is connected via separatefeeding conduits to a plurality of liquid tap units, comprising the steps of - evacuating the liquid from the associated feeding conduit after completion of a tappingoperation at an associated liquid tap unit, by generating a backward pressure gradient insaid associated feeding conduit, so that the liquid flows backwards towards said liquidsource and said associated feeding conduit thereafter contains only gas being retainedtherein, and - refilling, upon activating said liquid tap unit, said associated feeding conduit with liquidby generating a forward pressure gradient in said associated feeding conduit and topermit liquid to flow from said liquid source to said associated liquid tap unit, whilepushing the remaining gas in the feeding conduit towards said associated liquid tap unit at an operating pressure exceeding an ambient air pressure level.
    Primarily, the method has been developed for hot water distribution systems in buildings,but the principles applied in the invention may very well be implemented also for otherliquids, and also for distributing cold liquids. ln both cases, there is an inherent problemthat thermal energy will be lost when the hot or cold liquid is retained stationary in thefeeding conduits, when the associated liquid tap units are not being used. Apart from thethermal loss, there will also be an inevitable loss of liquid if the volume of liquid remainingin a feeding conduit, after many hours, will be tapped, since the consumer will let the liquid flow until the desired temperature ofthe flowing liquid will be attained.
    A normal system will entail a hot water system in a large building, with a plurality of watertap units. Each such tap unit may comprise a number of taps, e.g. in a rest room, a kitchen,or some other room where there are one or more taps for hot water, normally also beingserviced by cold water feeding conduits, including mixing taps where the water temperature may be controlled by the consumer.
    Such a system can be used for example in a relatively large building, with manyapartments or offices, possibly at many stories, or in a small building, e.g. for a single family.
    The liquid source, i.e. the point of liquid supply to the various feeding conduits, may beconnected to a public water supply line or a local water supply or heating vessel. Normally,it has a capacity which will enable a supply of cold and hot water at a substantiallyconstant pressure, which is typically much higher than the ambient air pressure, such as 2 to 5 bars over-pressure (above the pressure ofthe ambient air at the liquid source).
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART Such a method is disclosed in Applicanfs international (PCT) patent applicationW02012/148351. A similar method is also previously known from the German publishedspecificatlon DE 4406150 A1(Pumpe et al). ln both these prior art cases, the liquid in thefeeding conduits is sucked back to the liquid source after completion of a tappingoperation. Also, in both cases, there is a gas valve unit located in proximity to a liquidvalve unit for feeding gas or air into the system so as to replace the liquid with gas, aftercompletion of a tapping operation. This gas or air will thus flow into the feeding conduitthrough a gas passage in a gas valve unit. ln this way, the pressure in the feeding conduitswill remain very close to the ambient air pressure. l/loreover, this gas passage is separatefrom a liquid passage, where iiquid flows from the feeding conduit to the associated liquidtap unit. The gas valve unit will serve both as a gas inlet valve and as a gas outlet valve.Therefore, the gas pressure in the evacuated feeding conduits will be almost the same as the ambient air pressure.
    OBJECT OF THE INVENTION Against this background, a main object of the present invention is to provide a similarmethod and a system where the refilling of liquid will proceed faster than in the prior artsystems, while securing an effective dampening ofthe liquid when it reaches the vicinity of the liquid tap unit during each refilling operation. This should also be achieved with simple means which are easy to manufacture and install in a building or the like. Thereshould be no need for an elevated (higher than normal) pressure or capacity at the liquid SOUfC@.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ln order to achieve these objects, the present invention provides an improved method,wherein the liquid distribution system operates at a relatively low pressure, when theliquid is being evacuated after a tapping operation, and at a relatively high, but typicallystill fairly normal, pressure during a tapping operation, as indicated in the appendedclaims. During the entire operation of the liquid distribution system, each of the feedingconduits is kept in communication with an associated dampening chamber via anassociated passage accommodating an inlet to a liquid valve which is connected to anassociated liquid tap unit. ln use, the feeding conduit, the associated passage and theassociated dampening chamber form a closed system being separated from the ambientair. During the refilling step, the refilling liquid is brought to flow through the feedingconduit into the associated passage while pushing the remaining gas into the associateddampening chamber, which will thus collect the remaining gas. During the refilling step,the liquid valve is kept closed until the refilling liquid has reached the inlet. Thereafter, theliquid valve is caused to open, so as to let liquid, but no gas or air other than possiblyduring a start-up phase of the liquid distribution system, to flow via the liquid valve into the associated liquid tap unit.
    Preferably, a low enough pressure of the refilling liquid is achieved by reducing thepressure, at the end of the evacuating step, until the associated feeding conduit is free ofliquid, or a lowermost pressure level has been reached which is substantially lower thanthe pressure level ofthe ambient air at the associated liquid tap unit. lmportantly, noambient air is let into the closed system formed by the particular feeding conduit, the associated passage and the associated dampening chamber, during the evacuation step.
    The liquid valve may be caused to open when - the pressure of the liquid at said inlet ofthe liquid valve reaches a thresholdpressure level being substantially higher than the ambient air pressure level, or - a sensor has sensed the presence of refilling liquid at said inlet of said liquid valve. ln normal operation, at stationary conditions, there Will be no discharge of gas to or fromthe particular feeding conduit through the liquid tap unit. Possibly, some gas or air willescape through the liquid valve into liquid tap unit during a start-up phase of the system.It may occur that the system (each feeding conduit) is totally filled with air when thesystem is being filled with liquid for the first time. Then, it will take a number ofevacuation and refilling cycles until a certain volume (or rather weight or mass of air) hasescaped via the liquid valve, so that the liquid valve will then be closed until the inflovvingor refilling liquid has passed the inlet of the valve during a refilling operation. At this point,a steady state has been reached and the same kind of cycles will be repeated every time a liquid tap unit is activated.
    A liquid distribution system according to the invention is characterizecl in that each ofthefeeding conduits communicates with a dampening chamber via an associated passageaccommodating an inlet of a liquid valve which is connected to said associated liquid tapunit, each liquid valve being adapted, during a refilling operation, to keep the associatedfeeding conduit separated from the associated liquid tap unit by keeping the liquid valveclosed, while pushing remaining gas into the associated chamber, until the refilling liquidhas reached the inlet, said liquid valve being adapted to open after the entrance of liquid into said passage and compression of remaining gas in saidclosed dampening chamber during a refilling operation, and ~each feeding conduit, the associated passage and the associated dampening chambertogether forming a closed part of the system being separated from the ambient air, at least after a possible start-up phase of the system.
    Preferably, a separate liquid evacuation pump is connectable to the feeding conduits andis adapted, upon being connected during an evacuation operation, to evacuate that feeding conduit until it is free of liquid. Then, due to the fact that no ambient air is let into 3D the feeding conduit, the remaining air or gas in the feeding conduit has reached a lowermost pressure which is substantially lower than the ambient air pressure at each associated liquid tap unit and which will secure a low enough pressure during a subsequent refilling operation.
    The method and the system according to the invention will entail the following advantages: The refilling operation will proceed at a high speed, because the inflowing liquid willpropagate with virtually no resistance initially, thanks to the low pressure of the gasremaining in the evacuated feeding conduit and the relatively high pressure at theliquid source. Only when a large portion ofthe total volume (ofthe feeding conduitand an associated dampening chamber) has been refilled with liquid will the pressurebuild up to a relatively high level therein.
    Provided that there is only a small amount of gas in the system, in particular in therespective feeding conduits, the pressure will be relatively high only at the very laststage ofthe refilling process, then causing an effective dampening of the fast flowingliquid.
    There is no need for a large dampening volume, so the apparatus, containing adampening chamber, can be made in small dimensions and at relatively low cost, thusensuring also moderate installation costs and no voluminous apparatus.
    Since there is no need for a separate air valve communicating with the ambient air,there is no risk for problems originating from the malfunctioning of such an air valve,such as leakage of liquid and, of course, lower installation costs.
    Even ifthe pressure ofthe liquid source is temporarily reduced somewhat, the systemwill continue to operate as long as the pressure in the liquid source is retained at alevel exceeding any threshold level of the liquid valve being connected to the inlet ofthe particular tapping unit.
    Preferably, during an evacuation step, a separate evacuation pump will pump out theliquid in the particular feeding conduit, until a lowermost liquid level is reached. ln thisway, the operation will be reliable, and there is no risk of leaving any liquid in the feeding conduit after a tapping operation.
    - By using a separate evacuation pump, and possibly a separate evacuation valve, it willbe possible to feed liquid into at least one of the feeding conduits while at the same time evacuating liquid from at least one other feeding conduit.
    The various components to be used in the liquid distribution system according to thepresent invention may be modified in many ways, for example as disclosed in the parallelpatent applications filed by the same applicant on the same day, relating to a “a liquid distribution unit", ”a dampening valve unit” and ”a fluid stop valve unit”.
    Further features and advantages will appear from the detailed description below, where a preferred embodiment of the invention, and some modifications, are disclosed.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will now be explained further below, with reference to the appendeddrawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of a valve device according to the invention.
    Figure 1 illustrates schematically a prior art liquid distribution system as disclosed in the above mentioned international patent application; Figure 2 shows, likewise schematically, a liquid distribution system according to the present invention, in a preferred embodiment; Figs. 3, 3A, 3B show, in sectional views, a dampening valve unit being used in the systemoffig. 2, andFigs. 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, and 8, 8A, SB show a number of modified embodiments ofthe dampening valve unit of fig. 3.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EIVIBODINIENT OF THE INVENTIONln the description below, the liquid distribution system is intended for hot water, e.g. in a building. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the system may alternatively be used for any other liquid. Furthermore, the system may alternatively be used for the distribution of cold water or some other cold liquid. ln the prior art system shown in Fig. 1, water is supplied from a source 5 of fresh water,e.g. a public water supply line SL or a local water supply, via a non-return valve 1 to a hotwater tank 2, where the water is heated to a relatively high temperature, typically in theinterval 60-90°C. There is a re-circulating loop 22 of hot water passing through the waterheater 2 and a hydro-pressu re vessel 3 serving to accommodate a variable volume of airor gas at an Operating pressure. The hot water is circulated by means of a circulationpump (not shown) adjacent to the heater 2, and two further non-return valves 4a,4b willensure that the circulation is maintained in one direction only. lvloreover, there is a hotwater feed line 6 bridging the loop 22 at two points 24 and 23. ln the hot water feed line6, there is a pump 5 for circulating hot water along the feed line 6. The pump 5 willoperate even in case all hot water feeding conduits 7,8, leading to various hot water tapunits 9,10 in a building, are passive or closed, so that the liquid remaining in the feeoling conduits may be evacuated. Thus, the pump 5 has a dual purpose. ln each hot water feeding conduit 7,8, adjacent to the connection to the hot water sourceS , there is a control valve 11 and 12, respectively, which can be opened or closed, a levelsensor 13 and 14, respectively, and a pressure sensor 15 and 16, respectively. All thesecomponents are located centrally, near the hot water source, together with the hot watertank 2 and the circulating loop 22 with its bridging line 6. ln the hot water bridging line 6, there is also a non-return valve 25 and a control valve 26.
    The hot water tank 2, the re-circulating loop 22 and the bridging hot water line 6 may beregarded as a heat source or hot water source S, since the circulating water is always keptat an elevated temperature and will continuously supply hot water to the hot waterfeeding conduits 7, 8. lf necessary, the hot water source may be contained in an insulated enclosure, or the components may be individually covered with by an insulating material.
    As described in the above-mentioned PCT application W02012/148351, hot water willonly be present in the liquid feeding conduits 7, 8 when hot water is being tapped fromthe respective tap unit 9 and 10. When the tap unit 9, 10 is being closed, possibly after ashort delay (e.g. a few minutes) which does not significantly affect the temperature of thehot Water in the conduit, the hot water remaining in the respective feecling conduit will bepumped out in the backward direction by means of the pump 5, back to the hot watersource 2, 22. ln this process, the hot water will be replaced by ambient air or gas in theliquid conduit 7, 8. However, when the hot water has been evacuated, the respectivevalve 11, 12 will be closed, and a gas or air pressure, slightly below the ambient atmospheric air pressure, will remain in the feeding conduit 7, 8.
    When hot water is going to be tapped again from the tap 8 or 10, a refilling operation willbe initiated. The present invention provides for an improved method and system, as illustrated schematically in fig. 2.
    A central liquid source LS, possibly corresponding to the hot water source 2, 22 in fig.1, isconnected to a number of hot water feeding conduits FC1, FC 2, etc. via a feed line FL,separate connections Cl, (22, etc. and individual control valves CV1, CV2, etc. When thecontrol valve CV1 is opened, hot water will flovv rapidly into the associated feeding conduit FC1 which has been evacuated in a previous evacuation step.
    There will be a high pressure gradient in the feeding conduit FC1, since the control valveCV1 is open and thus conveys a driving pressure from below, corresponding to thepressure prevailing in the liquid source LS (typícally about 2 to 5 bars over-pressure or, inabsolute terms, more than 300 % ofthe ambient air pressure), and an upper very lowpressure, such as 0.2 to 0.8 bar under-pressure or, in absolute terms, about 20 to 80% ofthe ambient air pressure. Accordingly, the hot water will flow at a high Velocity towardsthe water tapping unit LT1. Normally the feeding conduits are at least 5 to 30 m long, fromthe liquid source LS to the respective hot water tap unit LT1, etc. within a building.
    When the hot water approaches the liquid tap unit, there is a risk for a hard striking impulse, a so called ”water hammer”, of the hot water. However, as is known per se, from the above-mentioned PCT application WO 2012/1408351, a dampening Chamber D1 isarranged in the vicinity of a liquid valve V1, so that an air or gas cushion will dampen the impact of the rapidly moving hot water.
    According to the present invention, each dampening chamber Dl, D2, etc. is connected tothe end of the associated feeding conduit FC1, FCZ, etc. via a passage OP1, OP2, etc. lnthis passage, there is an inlet to a liquid valve unit V1, V2, etc., e.g. a stop valve, a non- return valve or a check valve. See also figures 3,4,5,6 and 7A, 7B, 8, 8A, SB.
    The structure of the dampening valve unit Dvl, DV2, etc. (see figs. 3, 3A, 3B) is disclosedin detail in two separate patent applications being filed at the same day as the presentapplication, denoted “a dampening valve” and “a fluid stop valve”, respectively. Thus, theliquid valve unit V1, V2 may comprise two check-valves VA1, VA2 connected in series,being biased towards a closing position by a pressure responsive part, e.g. a non-linearspring device S1, comprising two mirrored diaphragm springs, so that the valve will shiftfrom a closing position (Fig. 3B) to an open position (Fig. 3A) when a threshold pressurelevel has been reached at the inlet lN1, iNZ, etc. of the valve. The non-iinear spring deviceS1, etc. is such that, when the threshold pressure is reached, the valve body will movesuddenly a relatively long way into its opening position (to the right in fig. 3). So, the valvewill open distinctly and permit a high flow of hot water immediately after the threshold pressure level has been reached.
    The spring device S1 is coupled to the two check-valves VA1, VA2 by means of an axial rodR, so that the end positions of the spring device will be transferred to the check valves which will thus be open (fig. 3A) or closed (fig. 38).
    The dampening Chamber Dl, D2, etc. can be housed in a separate casing (as shown in figs.3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B), or it can be formed by a housing where the liquid valve V1 is located centrally (fig. 8). in either case, the upper end ofthe feeding conduit FC1, FC2, etc. (fig. 2)adjoins the above-mentioned passage OP1, OP2, etc., which also accommodates the inlet lN1, |N2, etc. of the valve V1, V2, etc.
    The prevailing pressures and the volumes of the feeding conduits FC1, FC2, etc. are suchthat the pressure of the refilling water is still relatively low when it reaches the passageOP1, OP2, etc., below the set threshold pressure ofthe valve. Therefore, the water willmove further upwards, beyond the passage OP1, OP2, etc. before the air or gas, beingtrapped in the adjoining dampening chamber D1, D2, etc., is compressed to such a degreethat the air or gas pressure, causing a corresponding pressure in the water adjacentthereto, rises to a level corresponding to the threshold level ofthe valve V1, V2, etc. Then,the valve suddenly opens, and the hot water vvill flow through the valve into the adjoiningliquid tap unit LT1, LT2, etc. Since there is now only water in the passage OP1, OP2, etc.,only water, an no gas or air, will flow through the valve and into the liquid tap LT1, LT2,etc. The pressure in the liquid source LS, being much higherthan the ambient air pressure(even at the liquid tap unit LT1, LT2, etc.) and the threshold pressure of the liquid valveV1, V2, etc., will ensure that the air or gas compressed in the dampening chamber D1, D2,etc. will stay compressed and not expand into the passage OP1, OP2, etc. during normal operation ofthe liquid distribution system.
    As an alternative to opening the liquid valve upon reaching a threshold pressure, it ispossible to provide a sensor that senses the presence of liquid in the passage OP1, OP2,etc. at the inlet |N1, lN2, etc. ofthe liquid valve V1, V2, etc. The sensor can be a levelsensor, an optical sensor or a float sensor, in combination with a corresponding actuator,e.g. an electromagnetic device or a mechanical actuator, which will open the liquid valve V1, V2, etc. upon sensing the presence of liquid.
    A further alternative is to provide a valve V1, V2, etc. which is held in a closed position alsoby a locking or latching member (not shown) which is released when a water detectingelement has detected the presence of liquid at the inlet |N1, lN2, etc. ofthe valve. Aresetting mechanism may then be provided for returning the valve to its closed position during the subsequent evacuation step. ll Only when the tap handle, or a corresponding device or sensor, is activated for closing theparticular liquid tap unit LT1, LT2, etc. will there be a change. Then, e.g. by means ofapressure sensor PS1, PS2, etc. (see fig. 2), inserted between the valve V1, V2, etc. and theassociated liquid tap unit i_Tl, LT2 (or at some other location adjacent to the liquid valveor the liquid tap unit), will sense an increased pressure (the flow is stopped but thefeeding pressure is still present) and send an electric signal to a control unit CU which willin turn close the control valve CV1, CV2, etc. adjacent to the liquid source LS. The controlunit CU will also send a signal to a separate evacuation valve EV1, EV2, etc. so as to openthe latter. This evacuation valve is arranged in a branch connection located downstream(as seen when the feeding conduit is refilled) but adjacent to the control valve CV1, EV2,etc. The evacuation valves EV1, EV2, etc. are jointly connected to an evacuation pump EP which will recirculate the hot water to the liquid source LS.
    The pressure sensors P51 and PS2 are schematically shown to be connected to the (short)conduit between the liquid valve V1, V2, etc. and the liquid tap unit LT1, LT2. However,alternatively, they may be arranged inside the casing of the liquid valve, at the outlet side thereof, or at or adjacent to the liquid tap unit itself.
    Of course, instead of sending an electric signal via a control unit, it is possible, as disclosedin the above-mentioned PCT application WO 2012/148351, to let a pressure pulse or otherphysical variable propagate along the feeding conduit to the liquid source, where thepulse or other physical variable is sensed and used to trigger the closing ofthe control valve CV1, CV2, etc. and the opening of the evacuation valve EV1, EV2, etc.
    When the particular feeding conduit FC1, FC2, etc. is connected to the liquid source viathe evacuation valve EV1, EV2, etc., the liquid (hot water) will be sucked back by theevacuation pump EP into the liquid source LS. There is also a level sensor LS1, LS2,arranged to sense the liquid level at (or adjacent to) the branch connection. When thissensor senses that the liquid surface has reached a lowermost level, this indicates that allthe liquid has been evacuated (removed) from the associated feeding conduit FC1, FC2, etc. An alternative is just to sense the low pressure adjacent to the control valve or the 12 evacuation valve, the low pressure indicating that virtually all liquid has been evacuated from the feeding conduit.
    Thus, at this time there will be a very low pressure, such as 0.5 bar under-pressure (5096 ofthe ambient air pressure), or a pressure in the interval 0.2 - 0.8 bar under-pressure in theparticular feeding conduit FC1, FC2, etc. Then, a signal is sent to the control unit CU, whichwill close the evacuation valve EV1, EV2, etc., so that the associated feeding conduit isretained in an evacuated state, and there Will be no thermal loss due to heat beingdissipated from the feeding conduit. En the feeding conduit FC1, FC2, etc. there is only gasor air left at a very low pressure (almost vacuum). A new refíllíng cycle can begin, being triggered or initiated by the opening ofone of the liquid tap units.
    The arrangement ofthe control valves CVl, CVZ, etc. and the evacuation valves EV1, EV2,etc., being located separately in the branch connections, has the advantage that any oneor a number of feeding conduits FC1,FC1, etc. can be evacuated independently of eachother. Therefore, one or more ofthe feeding conduits FC1, FC2 may be evacuated whileone or more of the other feeding conduits FC2, FCI, etc. are being refilled or areoperativefor tapping hot water at the associated liquid tap unit LT2, LT1, etc. ln the prior art systemas shown in fig. 1, on the other hand, this was not possible. Rather, it was necessary towait until all the feeding conduits were non-operative before it was possible to connect them to a jointly Operating pump.
    The special liquid distribution unit, comprising the feed line FL, the control valves CV1,CVZ, etc., the separate evacuation valves EV1, EV2, etc. and the jointly connectedevacuation pump EP, is disclosed in more detail in a separate patent application, entitled ”a liquid distribution unit” being filed on the same date by the same applicant.
    The modified embodiments in figs. 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B and 8, 8A, 8B will now be describedbriefly. 13 ln fig. 4, the liquid valve unit V1 is exactly like the liquid valve in fig. 3. However, theassociated dampening Chamber Dl is connected to the feeding conduit FCl via a passageOP'1 accommodating two parallel valve devices, a gas inlet valve GIV1, in the form of anon-return valve, for letting gas into the dampening Chamber during the refilling ofthefeeding conduit FCl when the pressure is higher than the ambient air pressure, e.g.exceeding 0.1 bar over-pressure, and a gas outlet valve GOV1, which vvill perrnit gas toflow back into the feeding conduit FC1 during evacuation of the latter. The gas outlet valveGOV1 will open when there a pressure difference exceeding a set value, e.g. 2 to 3 bars, isreached. The gas outlet valve is structured like the liquid valve unit V1 but has only onecheck valve (non-return valve) VA'1. Even when the pressure difference is reduced duringevacuation, the gas outlet valve will stay open as long as there is a small pressuredifference, and it may even stay open when the pressure difference has been reversed.Then, during the su bsequent refilling with water, the entering water Will cause the gasoutlet valve to shift to its closed position. When a pressure of about 0.2 bar overpressurehas been reached, the gas inlet valve GIV1 Will open and let gas, and possibly some Water,flow into the dampening Chamber. The gas outlet valve GOV1 will stay closed during the tapping of hot water through the liquid valve V1.
    The valve arrangement with the parallel outlet and inlet valves GOV1, GIV1 will ensurethat the gas in the dampening chamber D1 will stay there when the liquid valve V1 opens,with an accompanying pressure reduction in the feeding conduit FC1, until a steady stateis reached for the water flowing out through the valve V1 to the associated hot water tapunit (LT1 in fig. 2). ln this way, it is avoided that air or gas will flow through the liquid valveV1.
    The dampening chamber may have a free inner space, as shown in figs. 3 and 4, or lt mayhave a displaceable piston P as shown in fig. 5 for the dampening chamber D'1 or a flexiblediaphragm DI as shown in fig. 6 for the dampening chamber D”1. The piston P or thediaphragm will define an innermost compartment having a preset initial gas pressurewhich will vary but the gas in this compartment will not mix with the water during the refilling step. 14 The liquid valve may be structured differently, e.g. as shown in figs. 7A and 7B, where anelastomeric body V1 is disposed in the passage OP”1 between the feeding conduit FC1 andthe dampening chamber D1 and is displaceable between a position (fig. 7A) where thepassage OP”1 is open (and the liquid valve part to the right is closed) and a position (fig.7B) where the passage OP”1 is closed (and the liquid valve part to the right is open). Thelatter position is taken when hot water is flowing to the hot water tap unit LT1, whereas the other position is taken during the other phases ofthe cycle.
    Figs. 8, 8A, and SB show an embodiment ofthe dampening valve DV'1 which is especiallycompact. Here the liquid valve V1 is disposed centrally within a housing H defining aninternal dampening chamber D1. The inlet |N1 is located in an open passage OP1 betweenthe feeding conduit FCl and the dampening chamber D1. The inlet |N1, in the form ofasmall orifice, communicates with the liquid valve unit V1 via a conduit CO. The innerdiameter ofthe conduit and the orifice inlet |N1 are such thai: even during evacuation ofthe feeciing conduit FCl, water will remain in the conduit CO and prevent that gas entersinto the liquid valve V1. Of course, in this case as well, the threshold level of the valve V1is high enough to ensure that liquid (hot water) will reach the inlet |N1 before the valve V1 opens and permits the water to flow into the water tap unit LT1.
    Those skilled in the art can modify the method and the liquid distribution system withinthe scope defined by the appended claims. For example, as indicated above, it would bepossible to use the system for cold liquids rather than hot ones. The feeding conduits mayconsist of metal tubing, or plastic hoses. Of course, the threshold pressure level of theliquid valve V1, V2, etc. may be variable, so as to be set at a suitable value in each case,and it is also possible to varv these threshold pressure levels so as to optimize the systemand the dampening Characteristics at each dampening valve unit DVl, DV2, etc. Possibly, the volumes of the dampening chambers may also be Variable.
    As indicated above, it is a great advantage that there is no discharge of air or other gas during normal operation ofthe system. The dampening chamber is closed in relation to the ambient air, and the other fittings and connections should be air tight, even at verylow or rather high pressures. There is no need for letting in ambient air through an inletair valve, as was the case in the prior art systems. Therefore, the system will operateswiftly With a high refilling Velocity and With great reliability and, therefore, at rather low service costs after a proper installation in a building.
    The system may also be used in other units than buildings, e.g. in large vessels (water orair-borne) or moving vehicles, or in other units where there is a need for distributing hot or cold liquid to various tapping units.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1] 1. A method to save liquid and thermal energy in a liquid distribution system, where acentrally located source of liquid (LS) is connected via separate feeding conduits (FC1,FC2,etc.) to a plurality of liquid tap units (LT1, LT2), comprising the steps of - evacuating the liquid from the associated feeding conduit after completion of a tappingoperation at the associated liquid tap unit, by generating a backward pressure gradient insaid associated feeding conduit, so that the liquid flows backwards towards said liquidsource and said associated feeding conduit thereafter contains only gas being retainedtherein, and - refilling, upon activating said liquid tap unit, said associated feeding conduit with liquidby generating a forward pressure gradient in said associated feeding conduit and topermit liquid to flow from said liquid source to said associated liquid tap unit, whilepushing the remaining gas in the feeding conduit towards said associated liquid tap unit at an Operating pressure exceeding an ambient air pressure level, characterized by - keeping each of said feeding conduits (FCI, etc.), during the entire operation oftheliquid distribution system, in communication with an associated dampening chamber(D1, D'1, D"1, etc.) via an associated passage (OPl, OP'1, OP”1, etc.) accommodatingan inlet (IN1, etc.) to a liquid valve (V1, V1, etc.) which is connected to saidassociated liquid tap unit (LT1, etc.), said feeding conduit, said associated passageand said associated dampening chamber forming, in use, a closed system being separated from the ambient air, - bringing the refilling liquid, during the refilling step, to flow through said associatedpassage (OPl, OP”1, 0P"1, etc.), while pushing said gas into said associated dampening chamber (D1), and - keeping said liquid valve (V1, V'l, etc.) closed during the refilling step, -until the refilling liquid has reached said inlet (IN1), whereupon the liquid valve (V1, V'l, etc.) 5 17 is caused to open so as to let the refilling liquid, but no gas or air other than possiblyduring a start-up phase of the liquid distribution system, to flow via said liquid valve (V1, V'1, etc.) into said associated liquid tap unit (LT1).
    [2] 2. The method defined in' claim 1, wherein said liquid valve (V1, V'1, etc.) is kept closed bysecuring of a low enough pressure ofthe refilling liquid during the refilling step, Which isachieved by reducing the pressure, at the end of said evacuating step, until said associatedfeeding conduit is free of liquid, at which time a lowermost pressure level has beenreached which is substantially lower than the pressure level of the ambient air at said associated liquid tap unit.
    [3] 3. The method defined in claim 1 or 2, said liquid valve will be caused to open: - when the pressure of the refilling liquid in said passage reaches a threshold pressurelevel Which is substantially higher than said ambient air pressure level, or A - a sensor or a mechanical element has detected the presence of liquid at said inlet of the liquid valve.
    [4] 4. The method defined in any one ofthe preceding claims 1-3, wherein a rising pressure inthe particular feeding conduit (FC1, etc.) during the refilling step is achieved by opening acontrol valve (CVl, etc.) located in said particular feeding conduit(FC1, etc.) adjacent tosaid liquid source (LS1), so that the particular feeding conduit will communicate directlywith said liquid source, the liquid pressure in said liquid source (LS) being maintained at aliquid source pressure level, which is higher than said ambient air pressure level at any one of said liquid tap units.
    [5] 5. The method defined in any one of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein a relatively lowpressure in a particular feeding conduit (FC1, etc.), at the end of said evacuating step, isachieved by pumping out the liquid from the particular feeding conduit with a separate liquid evacuation pump (EP) and thereafter disconnecting said separate pump. 18
    [6] 6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein, during said evacuation step, liquid isrecirculated from said particular feeding conduit (FC1, etc.) into said liquid source (LS) by means of said separate liquid evacuation pump (EP).
    [7] 7. A liquid distribution system, for saving liquid and thermal energy, comprising - a centrally located liquid source (LS), - a number of feeding conduits (FC1,FC2, etc.) being separately connected to said liquidsource, - each separate feeding conduit (FCI, etc.) being connected to an associated liquid tapunit (LT1, etc.) via an associated liquid valve (V1, V'1, etc.), and - a dampening chamber (D1, D'l, D”1 etc.) associated with each feeding conduit,wherein each feeding conduit is evacuated of liquid when an associated tap unit is closedand refilled with liquid when the tap unit is opened, characterlzedinthat - each of said feeding conduits (FC1, etc.) communicates with said dampening chamber(D1) via an associated passage (OP1, OP'1, OP”1, etc.) accommodating an inlet (INI, etc.)to said liquid valve (V1, V'1, etc.) Which is connected to said associated liquid tap unit(LT1, etc.) , - each said liquid valve (V1, etc.) is adapted, during a refilling operation, to keep theassociated feeding conduit (FC1, etc.) separated from the associated liquid tap unit (LT1,etc.) by keeping said liquid valve (V1,etc.) closed, while pushing remaining gas into saidassociated dampening chamber (D1, D'1, D”1, etc.), until the refilling liquid has reachedsaid inlet (IN1), - said liquid valve (V1, etc.) is adapted to open after the entrance of liquid into saidpassage and compression of the remaining gas in said dampening chamber (D1, etc.)during a refilling operation, and - each feeding conduit FC1, etc.), the associated passage (OPl, OP'1, OP”1, etc and theassociated dampening chamber (D1, D'l, D”1, etc.) together form a closed part of thesystem being separated from the ambient air, at least after a possible start-up phase of the system. 19
    [8] 8. The liquid distribution system defined in claim 7, wherein said liquid valve is adapted toopen: - when the pressure ofthe refilling liquid in said passage reaches a threshold pressurelevel which is substantially higher than said ambient air pressure level, or - a sensor has sensed the presence of liquid at said inlet of the liquid valve.
    [9] 9. The liquid distribution system defined in ciaim 7 or 8, wherein a control valve (CV1, etc.)is arranged' in each feeding conduit (FC1, etc.) adjacent to said liquid source (LS), whereby the associated feeding conduit is connectable to said liquid source.
    [10] 10. The liquid distribution system as defined in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein - a liquid evacuation pump (EP) is connectable to each feeding conduit and is adapted,upon being connected during an evacuation operation, to evacuate that feeding conduituntil it is free of liquid, at which time a lowermost pressure has been reached which issubstantially lower than the ambient air pressure at each associated liquid tap unit (L1, etc.) and which will secure a low enough pressure during a subsequent refilling operation.
    [11] 11. The liquid distribution system defined in ciaim 10, wherein said liquid evacuationpump (EP) is connectable to each feeding conduit (FC1, etc.) via a separate evacuation valve (EV1, etc.).
    [12] 12. The liquid distribution system defined in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a pressuresensor (PS1, etc.) is arranged to sense the liquid pressure level at the outlet side of said liquid valve (V1).
    [13] 13. The liquid distribution system defined in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein an electronic control unit (CU) is connected to at least one of said pressure sensor (PS1, etc.) located at the outlet side of said liquid valve (V1), said control valve (CV1) adjacent to said liquid source (LS), said separate liquid evacuation valve (EV1, etc.), and said level sensor (LS1) adjacent to said control valve (CV1, etc.).
    [14] 14. The liquid distribution system defined in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said associated passage OP'1lcomprises a gas inlet valve (GIV1) adapted to permit the flow ofgas from said feeding conduit FC1 to said dampening Chamber (Dl) during refilling of thesystem with liquid, and a gas outlet valve (GOV1) adapted to permit the flow of gas from the dampening chamber (D1) during evacuation of liquid from the system.
    [15] 15. The liquid distribution system defined in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein said liquidvalve (V1, etc.) comprises at least one non-return valve (VA1) and a pressure responsive part (S1).
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    CA2611730C|2013-03-26|Pumpless combination instantaneous/storage water heater system
    US2483426A|1949-10-04|Steam injection water heater
    US9140466B2|2015-09-22|Fluid heating system and instant fluid heating device
    US8768154B2|2014-07-01|Fixed and selectively fixed bypass pumpless instantaneous / storage water heater system
    AU2016204981A1|2016-08-04|A water heating system
    EP3317464B1|2020-06-10|A liquid distribution unit
    SE1550941A1|2017-01-03|A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy
    US942666A|1909-12-07|Air vessel for water-supply pipes.
    CN110121631B|2021-11-26|Method and apparatus for flow measurement in a fluid dispensing system having multiple fluid faucet units
    CN101389894A|2009-03-18|Method and device for measuring gas leakage
    RU2347945C1|2009-02-27|Oil pumping station
    CN204100556U|2015-01-14|The vertical quick-heating type electric water heater with pressure adjusting function
    CN204100554U|2015-01-14|There is the quick-heating type electric water heater of pressure adjusting function injection moulding
    CN105276820B|2019-08-06|Electric heater equipped with pressure reducing valve
    AU2016225782A1|2017-03-30|Water heating system
    JPH11257735A|1999-09-24|Single heater two water type water heater
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP3317465B1|2019-10-02|
    ES2764498T3|2020-06-03|
    US10823431B2|2020-11-03|
    WO2017001343A1|2017-01-05|
    US20180172286A1|2018-06-21|
    HK1249925A1|2018-11-16|
    EP3317465A1|2018-05-09|
    CN107923159A|2018-04-17|
    SE540953C2|2019-01-08|
    JP6602897B2|2019-11-06|
    CN107923159B|2020-04-21|
    JP2018523804A|2018-08-23|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US3343560A|1965-03-29|1967-09-26|Brass Craft Mfg Co|Anti-hammer under-fixture valve|
    DE2736080A1|1977-08-10|1979-02-15|Kraftwerk Union Ag|CUSHIONING DEVICE FOR REFLECTIVE VALVES|
    JPS56121923A|1980-02-29|1981-09-25|Matsushita Electric Works Ltd|Preventive device for discharge of cold water from hot-water supply system|
    US4885085A|1988-08-12|1989-12-05|Beall Jr Richard W|Direct acting reverse osmosis water purifier valves|
    DE4406150A1|1994-02-25|1995-09-07|Ulrich Pumpe|Hot water system, eliminating heat and water loss|
    SE510360C2|1996-10-01|1999-05-17|Electrolux Ab|Water purifier and pressure equalizer|
    JP2006010172A|2004-06-24|2006-01-12|Matsushita Electric Works Ltd|Hot water storage type hot water supply system|
    WO2008012726A2|2006-07-27|2008-01-31|Raghavan, Vijaya|A hot-water supply system|
    US20090020172A1|2007-07-20|2009-01-22|Walker Robert E|Method and Apparatus for Water Distribution|
    CN101782249A|2009-01-20|2010-07-21|潘戈|Hot-water pipeline with cold-water emptying loop and control method thereof|
    WO2010103521A2|2009-03-13|2010-09-16|Avner Kochavi|Water distribution system and method|
    SE0950809A1|2009-10-30|2011-05-01|Erik Abbing|Saving of tap liquid in a liquid distribution system|
    ES2731213T3|2011-04-28|2019-11-14|3Eflow Ab|A procedure and a liquid tap device to preserve the temperature of a liquid in a liquid distribution system|
    US20130269813A1|2012-04-14|2013-10-17|Asia Union Co., Ltd.|Valve Combined With Water Hammer Arrester|
    US9285127B2|2013-03-18|2016-03-15|Christopher V. Beckman|Water and heat waste reduction techniques|
    法律状态:
    2021-03-02| NUG| Patent has lapsed|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1550941A|SE540953C2|2015-07-02|2015-07-02|A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy|SE1550941A| SE540953C2|2015-07-02|2015-07-02|A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy|
    US15/738,271| US10823431B2|2015-07-02|2016-06-27|Method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy|
    JP2017568443A| JP6602897B2|2015-07-02|2016-06-27|Method and liquid delivery system for saving liquid and thermal energy|
    EP16733921.7A| EP3317465B1|2015-07-02|2016-06-27|A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy|
    ES16733921T| ES2764498T3|2015-07-02|2016-06-27|A liquid distribution procedure and system to save liquid and thermal energy|
    PCT/EP2016/064867| WO2017001343A1|2015-07-02|2016-06-27|A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy|
    CN201680049170.6A| CN107923159B|2015-07-02|2016-06-27|Method for preserving liquid and thermal energy and liquid distribution system|
    HK18109389.0A| HK1249925A1|2015-07-02|2018-07-19|A method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy|
    [返回顶部]