The present disclosure relates to a pressure equalizing separator and a system comprising the same.

In general, pressure equalizing separators are known to exist, but are susceptible to improvements, in terms of function and efficiency thereof, but also in terms of ease of installation, and other drawbacks.

Reference is made here to WO 2011/037465 Al, which discloses a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a conduit system. Contrary to the pressure equalizing separator disclosed herein, the removal device known from WO 2011/037465 Al is not configured to mitigate pressure differences between e.g. two distinct fluid circuits, but is solely configured for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid within a given fluid circuit. As such, the device known from WO 2011/037465 Al only comprises one conduit having an entry and an exit, the one conduit defining a single flow channel therebetween.

In addition US 2002/083733 Al, WO 2016/093694 Al and EP 1 779 911 Al are acknowledged here as further prior-art bearing at least some relevance to the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is directed at providing an improved pressure equalizing separator, for application thereof in a system comprising the same, where the system has at least two distinct fluid circuits, e.g. a heat source and a heat distribution system, with the pressure equalizing separator there between.

A pressure equalizing separator according to the present disclosure comprises:

- an upright housing, having in the interior thereof an upper quiet zone for degassing, a middle throughput zone and a bottom quiet zone for particle deposition or extraction;

- an upward half-open supply conduit near the upper quiet zone in the middle throughput zone; and

- a downward half-open return conduit near the bottom quiet zone in the middle throughput zone.

The pressure equalizing separator according to the present disclosure is configured to be interposed between e.g. two distinct fluid circuits comprised by a system, such as in between a fluid circuit defining a heat source and a further fluid circuit defining a heat distribution system. Here, the pressure equalizing separator mitigates differences in pressure between the two fluid circuits and moreover extract particles and debris from the fluid.

The pressure equalizing separator may have at least one upper quiet zone shielding separation plate that defines a transition between the upper quiet zone and the middle throughput zone. In such an embodiment the at least one upper quiet zone shielding separation plate may comprise at least one frusto-conical collar plate. The frusto-conical collar plate may extend inwards and upwards into the interior of the housing, viewed in a radial inward direction.

In an embodiment having the upper quiet zone shielding separation plate, the same may circumferentially contact an inner wall of the housing and may extend inward into the interior thereof.

"SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26" The upper quiet zone shielding separation plate may be angled in- and upward in the housing at an angle between 0° and 60°, more preferably between 10° and 45°, and most preferably at an angle of at least approximately 15°.

The pressure equalizing separator may additionally or alternatively have at least one bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate that defines a transition between the bottom quiet zone and the middle throughput zone. In such an embodiment the at least one bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate may comprise at least one frusto-conical collar plate. The frusto-conical collar plate may extend inwards and downwards into the interior of the housing, viewed in a radial inward direction.

In an embodiment having the bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate, the same may circumferentially contact an inner wall of the housing and extends inward into the interior thereof.

The bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate may be angled in- and downward in the housing at an angle between 0° and 60°, more preferably between 10° and 45°, and most preferably at an angle of at least approximately 15°.

Additionally or alternatively, the upward half-open supply conduit may comprises a guide plate, directing supply fluid, that is inbound into the housing, upward to the upper quiet zone. In such an embodiment the guide plate may be angled upward and arranged in the upward half-open supply conduit at an angle between 30° and 60°, more preferably between 40° and 50°, and most preferably at an angle of at least approximately 45°.

The pressure equalizing separator may further comprise a degassing device extending through the housing in the upper quiet zone.

The pressure equalizing separator may further comprise a particle discharge device extending through the housing in the bottom quiet zone. This may involve the use of a (super) magnet to extract metallic particles and debris.

Herein above, general concepts of a pressure equalizing separator in accordance with the present invention are referred to on the basis of relatively generic indications of the features thereof, which correspond to the definitions in the appended independent and dependent claims. Herein below, preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are elucidated with reference to the appended drawing. It is emphasized here that these embodiments are merely of an exemplary nature and that the same or similar functionalities may be achieved with the basic principles of the present invention.

Throughout the below description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar entities, components, functional units or concepts and the like may be referred to using similar or identical reference signs when referring to the appended drawing, in which:

Figure 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a pressure equalizing separator in accordance with the present invention;

"SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26" Figure 2 depicts a cross sectional and frontal view of the pressure equalizing separator in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 depicts a partly cross sectional and perspective view of the pressure equalizing separator in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 depicts in more detail a view of the upper quiet zone and a top portion of the middle throughput zone;

Figure 5 depicts in more detail a view of the bottom quiet zone and a lower portion of the middle throughput zone; and

Figure 6 depicts schematically an exemplary embodiment of a pressure equalizing separator according to the present disclosure in a hydraulic system with a heat source and heat distribution circuitry.

Figure 6 depicts schematically an exemplary embodiment of a pressure equalizing separator 3 according to the present disclosure in a hydraulic system 1 with a heat source 2 and heat distribution circuitry 4. Arrow in figure 6 indicate flow directions of heat transfer medium or fluid. The pressure equalizing separator 3 ensures that any pressure difference in the outgoing supply flow from the heat source 2 and the incoming return flow to the heat source 2 is limited to a degree sufficient to ensure proper functioning of the heat source 2 and one or more pumps associated therewith.

The heat distribution circuitry 4 may comprise (not shown) tubing and heat exchangers, such as radiators and/or other elements and components. Details of an embodiment of the pressure equalizing separator 3 will be discussed below with reference to figures 1 - 5.

In figures 1 - 5, an embodiment of a pressure equalizing separator according to the present disclosure is shown. This embodiment of a pressure equalizing separator comprising an upright housing 14. In the interior thereof an upper quiet zone 5 for degassing, a middle throughput zone 6 and a bottom quiet zone 7 for particle deposition or extraction are formed. The pressure equalizing separator 3 comprises a degassing device 8 extending through the housing 14 in the upper quiet zone 5 for discharging gasses liberated from the fluid. Also, the pressure equalizing separator 3 comprises a particle discharge device 9 extending through the housing 14 in the bottom quiet zone 7, for discharging particles, debris and like material that are extracted from the fluid.

Near the upper quiet zone 5 in the middle throughput zone 6, the pressure equalizing separator 3 comprises an upward half-open supply conduit 10, and near the bottom quiet zone 7 in the middle throughput zone 6, the pressure equalizing separator 3 comprises a downward half-open return conduit 11.

As is shown in figures 2, 3 and 4, the pressure equalizing separator 3 comprises at least one upper quiet zone shielding separation plate 12. This plate 12 defines a transition between the upper quiet zone 5 and the middle throughput zone 6. This plate 12 is - in the shown embodiment - formed by at least one frusto-conical collar plate 12. The frusto-conical collar plate 12 extends inwards and upwards into the interior of the housing, viewed in a radial inward direction. Thereby, the influx of

"SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26" supply fluid into the upper quiet zone 5 is promoted along the upward converging lower surface of the frusto-conical collar plate 12.

The frusto-conical collar plate 12 or any other embodiment of the upper quiet zone shielding separation plate is attached to and thus contacts circumferentially an inner wall of the housing 14 and extends inward into the interior thereof. Thereby, a flow of fluid along an inner wall of housing 14 past the upper quiet zone shielding separation plate is prevented; such a flow could disturb the upper quiet zone 5.

The frusto-conical collar plate 12 or any other embodiment of the upper quiet zone shielding separation plate is angled in- and upward in the housing at an angle of approximately 15°. Other angle values are also possible within, for example a range between 0° and 60°, or more preferably between 10° and 45°. A practical value for an angle of inclination of the frusto-conical collar plate 12 or any other embodiment of the upper quiet zone shielding separation plate is anticipated to depend on design parameters, such as the diameter of the housing 14 and the height of the upper quiet zone 5. Likewise, a size or width of the frusto-conical collar plate 12 can be determined by a person skilled in the art, depending on associated design parameters, while keeping an objective in mind of optimal upward flow of fluid, in order provide optimal amounts of heat from the heat source 2 up into the upper quiet zone, to support a degassing process in conjunction with the degassing device 8.

Also for the purpose of directing sufficient fluid and associated heat upwards into the upper quiet zone 5, the pressure equalizing separator has, in the upward half-open supply conduit 10, a guide plate 13, to direct supply fluid from the heat source 2, that is inbound into the housing 14, upward to the upper quiet zone 5. Since the upper half of the conduit 10 is open, and the guide plate 13 is positioned obliquely back and upward relative to the inbound flow of fluid from the heat source, a desired flow of fluid upwards into the upper quiet zone 5 may be achieved. To this end, in the shown embodiment, the guide plate 13 is arranged at an angle of approximately 45°. However, other angle values may also be possible within, for example a range between 30° and 60°, and/or more preferably between 40° and 50°. A precise selection of a preferred angle of inclination of the guide plate 13 may depend on or be associated with other design parameters, such as the height of the upper quiet zone 5 and a distance between the upward half-open supply conduit 10 and the upper quiet zone 5. It is noted that provision of the guide plate 13 in the upward half-open supply conduit 10 simply and elegantly avoids a need for an alternative solution for this challenge, such as an offset in the upward half-open supply conduit 10 over the housing 14 (a vertical step in the upward half-open supply conduit 10 between the right and left portions thereof relative to the housing 14). Such an offset or step in the upward half -open supply conduit 10 would be expected to complicate installation, and can be facilitated by the simple and elegant guide plate 13, allowing left and right portion of the upward halfopen supply conduit 10 to be straight and / or aligned.

As is shown in figures 2, 3 and 5, the pressure equalizing separator 3 comprises at least one bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate 15. This plate 15 defines a transition between the bottom

"SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26" quiet zone 7 and the middle throughput zone 6. Plate 15 is - in the shown embodiment - formed by at least one frusto-conical collar plate 15. The frusto-conical collar plate 15 extends inwards and downwards into the interior of the housing 14, viewed in a radial inward direction. Thereby, the influx of supply fluid into the bottom quiet zone 7 is promoted along the downward converging upper surface of the frusto-conical collar plate 15.

The frusto-conical collar plate 15 or any other embodiment of the bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate is attached to and thus circumferentially contacts an inner wall of the housing and extends inward into the interior thereof. Thereby, a flow of fluid along an inner wall of housing 14 past the bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate 15 is prevented; such a flow could disturb the bottom quiet zone 5.

The frusto-conical collar plate 15 or any other embodiment of the upper quiet zone shielding separation plate is angled in- and downward in the housing 14 at an angle of approximately 15°. Other angle values are also possible within, for example a range between 0° and 60°, or more preferably between 10° and 45°. A practical value for an angle of inclination of the frusto-conical collar plate 15 or any other embodiment of the bottom quiet zone shielding separation plate 15 is anticipated to depend on design parameters, such as the diameter of the housing 14 and the height of the bottom quiet zone 5. Likewise, a size or width of the frusto-conical collar plate 15 can be determined by a person skilled in the art, depending on associated design parameters, while keeping an objective in mind of optimal downward flow of fluid, in order achieve optimal extraction of solid materials, debris and the like in and from the bottom quiet zone 7, in conjunction with the particle discharge device 9.

The particle discharge device may be associated with a magnet (not shown) for extraction of - in particular - metallic debris and solid material.

It is noted here that the scope of protection for the developments described in the present disclosure are by no means limited to any particular feature of the embodiments described above and illustrated in the appended drawing. The scope of protection is exclusively determined based on the limitations of the appended independent claims, but may, in some jurisdictions, even encompass obvious alternatives for features in the independent claims. Other variations for specifically described elements, components and functionalities, that may also be embodied within the scope of the appended claims of the present disclosure, have been at least hinted at in the above embodiment description or the skilled person may be considered to be able to contemplate these variations within the range of this skilled person’s general knowledge. This exemplary reference to alternative embodiments substantiates that any limitation to any specific feature, that is not defined as a limitation in the independent claims, is unwarranted.

"SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26"