AN EXPANSION TANK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expansion tank suitable for use in combi boilers used in ambient and domestic water heating or in boilers commonly used in water heating.

The invention particularly relates to a gas-free expansion tank that balances the hot water pressure and has an extended service life.

PRIOR ART

Today, combi boilers are used for ambient and domestic water heating. They are generally preferred by home users. They are generally used by being mounted on the wall in an area that allows the release of waste gases through a chimney opening to the outside. It operates in connection with the heating system and the domestic water system.

Expansion tanks are used to balance the volumetric expansion of the water used in the heating circuit due to the temperature difference, it ensures to keep the pressure increase of the system at a minimum level.

In the prior art expansion tank applications, a pressure-resistant tank is divided into two from the middle part by a membrane, which is a flexible material, and at least one of the two chambers formed contains pressurized water. In the other section, which is divided by a membrane, there is gas to balance the pressure. In different applications, said gas can be nitrogen gas.

During the operation of the combi boiler or the boiler within the scope of the application in the state of the art, its volume increases due to the expansion in line with the heating of the water in the system and causes the pressure of the closed-circuit system to increase. The excess water with increased pressure is filled into the expansion tank by means of the expansion tank used in the system and the membrane is stretched and the gas is compressed due to the increased pressure. The pressure of the system is balanced and it is ensured to be operated in a stable manner with the compression of the gas in the gas section of the expansion tank.

In applications of the state of the art, the air pressure of said expansion tank should be controlled during routine maintenance of the device. However, in case of a decrease in the pressure of the gas in the expansion tank due to any malfunction or aging in routine use or when the gas is completely discharged, problems such as adhesion of the membrane to the expansion tank surface may occur with the increasing pressure of the water.

Furthermore, pressure balancing problem may arise when the membrane in the expansion tank is punctured depending on the aging factor and the fluid passes to the other part. In any case, the expansion tank is among the essential components in closed-circuit systems with variable pressure fluid.

In the PCT document with publication number WO2015152450, a combi boiler structure which increases the service life of the expansion tank and is integrated with the heat exchanger is disclosed. There is a gas and membrane structure in the expansion tank section within the scope of said application.

In the DPMA patent document with publication number DE102004027211 B4, a gas- assisted expansion tank suitable for use in heating devices is described. An integrated structuring with the heat exchanger is disclosed within the scope of said application.

An expansion tank configuration is mentioned in the SIPO utility model document with the publication number CN209147453U. In the mentioned application, there is a circular arc shape and a protruding form structure such as a flexible folding form on the membrane of the expansion tank. With mentioned form, the flexibility of the membrane has been increased and water to balance the pressure in one of the chambers separated by the membrane, similar to the use of the expansion tank in the known technique. It is aimed to balance the fluid pressure with the design support on the membrane surface. The surface form of the membrane is epithelial and made of butadiene styrene rubber. In the relevant structure, the membrane has been given the ability to absorb extra stretching and force and it is aimed to provide a high solution to production cost alternatives. In the PCT document with publication number WO2013151441A2, an expansion tank configuration is mentioned. In the application, an uneven multi-layered membrane structure is mentioned. Said expansion tank has two chambers and works together with the use of gas.

As a result, all abovementioned problems have made it necessary to make an improvement in the relevant technical field.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to eliminate the abovementioned problems and to make a development in the relevant technical field.

The main aim of the invention is to provide an expansion tank structure that is suitable for use in boilers and combi boilers used in water heating, has a long life, does not need maintenance, and can balance the change in fluid pressure.

Another aim of the invention is to minimize the failure of the expansion tank in combi boilers.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an expansion tank structure that does not need maintenance and gas pressure control.

Another aim of the invention is to minimize device failures due to expansion tank failure.

Another aim of the invention is to reduce the damage to the safety of the closed-circuit system by reducing the failure of the expansion tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to an expansion tank so as to fulfill all aims mentioned above and will be obtained from the following detailed description.

The invention relates a fluid pressure balancing method in an expansion tank consisting of at least two chambers separated by a flexible layer, provided that at least one of them contains fluid as water, characterized in that; it ensures to balance the fluid pressure with the balancing material which has geometric form, has elasticity homogeneously distributed on in the water-free surface of the said flexible layer, in order to balance the pressure coming over the membrane, to balance the pressure coming over the membrane which is the flexible layer mentioned in the region.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to provide equal force distribution on the surface of the membrane, which is the said flexible layer, it provides balancing of the liquid pressure with the balancing material having elasticity homogeneously dispersed on the said flexible layer surface in the region which in the fluid-free chamber, with a geometric form in order to balance the pressure coming over the membrane which is the flexible layer.

The present invention is an expansion tank suitable for use in closed circuit heating systems consisting of at least two chambers separated by a flexible layer, provided that at least one of them contains fluid characterized in that; in the fluid-free section and to balance the pressure coming over the membrane which is the flexible layer; it comprises a balancing material which has geometric form, has elasticity homogeneously distributed on the surface of the said flexible layer within the region and has the flexibility to apply a reaction force equal to the force applied thereon in order to provide equal force distribution on the surface of the membrane which is said flexible layer.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises at least a balancing material, which is a spring that can absorb or transmit force in at least one direction, and whose height can change depending on the force falling on it which is positioned between the said membrane surface and the expansion tank body in order to balance the pressure coming over the membrane, which is the flexible layer, in order to provide equal force distribution to the surface of the membrane, which is the said flexible layer, in the chamber that does not contain fluid.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises at least a guiding alignment element to cause the balancing material to extend and contract in at least one direction.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid-free chamber has at least equal to atmospheric pressure or lower than atmospheric pressure which is provided by evacuation by vacuum in production process of the expansion tank or in the maintenance process. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises at least one fastening element that limits its position by contacting the said spring on the membrane surface and/or the expansion tank body, in order to obtain a fixed working position with at least one of the open ends of the spring.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises an elastic, composite material which allows the membrane to stretch and, accordingly, to balance the pressure increase of the fluid in the other part of the membrane by contacting the membrane surface and can react to the said force when force is applied thereon.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is ensured that the stretching of the membrane is balanced against the fluid pressure in the closed system with a balancing material made of elastic solid material with a V-shaped cross-section located in the section opposite to the fluid chamber of the membrane.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is ensured that the stretching of the membrane is balanced against the fluid pressure in the closed system with a balancing material which is located in the opposite part of the fluid section of the membrane, is positioned such that the pressure applied to the surface of said membrane exerts a force in the direction perpendicular to said membrane, is made of elastic solid material in linear form.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is ensured that the stretching of the membrane is balanced against the fluid pressure in the closed system with a balancing material which is located in the opposite part of the fluid section of the membrane, is positioned such that the pressure applied to the surface of said membrane exerts a force in the direction perpendicular to said membrane, is made of elastic solid material in the form of a mesh with a geometric shape.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is ensured that the stretching of the membrane is balanced against the fluid pressure in the closed system with a balancing material made of elastic solid material with a honeycomb-shaped cross-section located in the section opposite to the fluid chamber of the membrane.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is carried out with a balancing material made of rubber material. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises a balancing material with flexibility that can apply a reaction force equal to the force applied thereon.

Considering the structures in the state of the art, in the applications of the expansion tank in which at least one chamber is the liquid whose pressure will be balanced and this part is separated by at least one membrane, it is not obvious to an expert in the state of the art to make an inference that allows the balancing force to be physically applied to the membrane surface mentioned from the other fluid cell, depending on the force caused by the membrane stretching due to liquid pressure.

The protection scope of the invention is specified in the claims and cannot be limited to the description made for illustrative purposes in this brief and detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can present similar embodiments in the light of the above descriptions without departing from the main theme of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In Figure 1 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention is given.

In Figure 2, a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention is given.

In Figure 3, a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention is given.

In Figure 4, a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention is given.

In Figure 5, a section view of another embodiment of the invention is given.

In Figure 6, a section view of another embodiment of the invention is given.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCES IN FIGURES

10. Balancing material

11 . Fastening element

12. Alignment element

20. Membrane

30. Fluid cell 31 . Fluid inlet opening

E. Expansion tank

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the inventive expansion tank (E) is described by means of examples only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

The invention relates to a gas-free expansion tank (E) that balances the variable fluid pressure particularly the hot water pressure and has an extended service life in the closed system fluid heating circuits.

The invention relates a fluid pressure balancing method in an expansion tank (E) consisting of at least two chambers separated by a flexible layer, provided that at least one of them contains fluid as water, characterized in that; it ensures to balance the fluid pressure with the balancing material (10) which has geometric form, has elasticity homogeneously distributed on in the water-free surface of the said flexible layer, in order to balance the pressure coming over the membrane (20), to balance the pressure coming over the membrane (20) which is the flexible layer mentioned in the region.

The invention is relates to an expansion tank (E) which suitable for use in closed circuit heating systems consisting of at least two chambers separated by a flexible layer provided that at least one of them contains fluid characterized in that, it comprises a balancing material (10) which has geometric form, has elasticity homogeneously distributed on the surface of said flexible layer within the region and has the flexibility to apply a reaction force equal to the force applied thereon so as to provide equal force distribution on the surface of the membrane (20), which is to balance the pressure coming over as said flexible layer as the membrane (20), in fluid-free section. Mentioned balancing material (10) is at least a spring.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chamber containing the stabilizing material (10) (the non-liquid chamber separated by the membrane (20)) may be under normal atmospheric conditions or may be evacuated by vacuum in order to prevent corrosion. In another preferred embodiment of the invention a method that provides, in an expansion tank (E) in order to balance the pressure coming over the membrane (20) consisting of at least two chambers separated by a flexible layer, provided that there is liquid in at least one of them, in order to provide equal force distribution on the surface of the membrane (20), which is the said flexible layer, in the chamber that does not contain liquid, the balancing of the liquid pressure with the balancing material (10) having elasticity homogeneously dispersed on the surface of the said flexible layer in geometric form is presented.

In Figure 1 , the perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention is given. The said balancing material (10) (at least one) is preferably connected to the membrane (20) at one end and it is connected to the expansion tank (E) body at the other end. Said balancing material (10) absorbs the force exerted by the membrane (20) on it. As can be seen in the figure, each balancing material (10) is connected to the expansion tank (E) with at least one fastening element (11 ) and preferably at least one alignment element (12) ensures that balancing material (10) position remains constant during operation.

Said fixing element (11) ensures that the ends of the stabilizing material (10), which is preferably spring, are closed and fixed between the membrane (20) body and the expansion tank (E) body. The position of the said springs is fixed in two axes by means of the alignment elements (12). In the preferred embodiment, each spring can be compressed and released linearly in the direction of at least one alignment element (12). The force applied during the stretching of the membrane (20) in the direction of the balancing material (10) by the fluid cell (30) is damped by the springs, which are the said balancing material (10). As the fluid pressure decreases, the springs return to their initial form. In this way, a constant pressure is ensured in the section where the liquid is located which depending on the resistance of the springs and the pressure of the system remains the same at all times. Contrary to known applications, mechanical support of the membrane (20) is provided by the balancing material (10).

In Figure 2, 3, and 4, perspective views of alternative embodiments of the invention are given. The expansion tank (E) is divided into at least two sections by at least one flexible membrane (20) within the scope of the invention. At least one of said sections is the fluid cell (30), and the fluid with increased pressure is collected in this section through the fluid inlet opening (31 ). There is a balancing material (10) which is opposite said fluid cell (30), balances the pressure exerted by said fluid on the surface of the membrane (20), especially in the other section separated by the membrane (20).

In the application of two different balancing materials (10) created by using spring or elastic material; the pressure force falling on the membrane (20) over the liquid is distributed on the balancing material (10), thus balancing the pressure.

In the representative expansion tank (E) configuration given in Figure 2, membrane (20) is supported by the balancing material (10) passing through at least two comers of the body of the expansion tank (E). The balancing materials (10) that consist of at least two said parts are in contact with each other and placed in a position to exert force on the balancing material (10) surface. Said balancing material (10) is products in strip form, which is a flexible material and it physically contacts the said membrane (20) independently of the membrane (20) surface in another preferred embodiment.

In the representative expansion tank (E) configuration of the alternative application given in Figure 3, balancing materials (10) apply force from at least two successive sides of the expansion tank (E) body and from the surface of the membrane (20). In the configuration of Figure 3, the number of said balancing materials (10) is more than two and they are positioned to intersect each other such that they are perpendicular. In an alternative embodiment, said application can be achieved with the intersection of the balancing materials (10) with each other at different angles, and the structure presented in the form of a network. An embodiment in symmetrical geometric shapes in the form of equilateral triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon etc. can be used within the scope of said application. The structure is formed by using products in the form of strips, which are flexible materials, physically contacts the said membrane (20) independently of the membrane (20) surface in another preferred embodiment

The balancing material (10) used in the preferred embodiment of the invention is in a structure that can balance the force exerted on it by the membrane (20), it ensures to keep the position of the membrane (20) constant even if force is applied on the membrane (20).

In Figure 4, a section view of another preferred embodiment of the invention is given. The membrane (20) is balanced with the balancing material (10) positioned transversely in said embodiment. Therefore, it is ensured that the membrane (20) is kept stable at all times by limiting its stretching in line with the fluid pressure applied thereon. The pressure force falling on the membrane (20) over the fluid is distributed on the balancing material (10), thus the pressure is balanced. The structure is formed by using products in the form of strips, which are flexible materials, physically contacts the said membrane (20) independently of the membrane (20) surface in another preferred embodiment

In Figure 6, the alternative balancing material (10) embodiment that can be used in the alternative embodiment of the invention is given. Within this scope, the force falling on the material that is connected sequentially with each other can be distributed homogeneously. Furthermore, the stretching occurs in a balanced manner with the geometric oval/polygonal structure in the structure of the balancing material (10). Balancing material (10) in the form of honeycomb can be used within the scope of the said application. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the balancing material (10), which is the spring, is made of composite or metal or metal alloy.