EP1772683A2

EP1772683A2 - Device for assembly and installation of water temperature control and distribution apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1772683A2
Application number: EP06076826A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Umberto Ferretti
Original assignee: Watts Industries Italia SRL
Current assignee: Watts Industries Italia SRL
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2006-10-03
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Also published as: EP1772683A3; ITMI20051887A1

Abstract

Device for the assembly and installation of water temperature control and hydraulic distribution apparatus, comprising a fixed support frame (10) formed by a substantially central longitudinal upright (11) which has, fixed at its opposite ends, respective brackets (12) extending perpendicularly towards the outside of the upright and provided with associated holes (12a), and a movable counter-frame (20) formed by a pair of longitudinal uprights (21) connected by cross-pieces (22) provided with associated holes (22a), there being envisaged means (14, 24) for joining together the fixed frame (10) and movable counter-frame (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for assembly and installation of water metering, temperature control and hydraulic distribution apparatus.
It is known in the technical sector relating to distribution of hot water from a boiler to the distribution circuits of the individual dwelling units, both for heating purposes and for use as sanitary water, that there exists the need to have interface modules able to connect the primary water delivery/return circuit of the boiler to the dual heating water and sanitary water supply circuit which is regulated by corresponding temperature regulators.
It is also known that such interfaces consist of a complex apparatus comprising, among other things, a meter for the thermal energy used by the primary network, reading of which may be easily concentrated, transmitted and processed so as to assign very precisely the corresponding costs on the basis of the actual consumption of the individual dwelling units.
These distribution and control apparatus are usually installed in the region of the stairwell, inside a so-called "service cavity" area, where they intercept the pipes of the central system, which are normally vertical, allowing the branching of the secondary pipes, which are normally horizontal, for supplying the individual consumer units.
Although performing their function, these apparatus nevertheless have certain drawbacks which make installation thereof difficult and prone to damage; said apparatus are in fact arranged on special frames which must be necessary installed in loco during construction of the building, increasing considerably the possibility of damage even before actual use, the accumulation of dust and ageing which, with time, result in malfunctioning of the various instruments.
The technical problem which is posed, therefore, is to provide a device for assembling apparatus for hydraulic distribution and temperature control of mixed heating water and sanitary water systems, to be arranged between the piping of the primary installation and the piping of the secondary installation for supplying the individual units.
In connection with this problem it is also required that this device should have compact dimensions, be easy and inexpensive to produce and assembly and be able to be applied without the need for excessive adaptation.
These results are achieved according to the present invention by a device for assembling and installing water temperature control and hydraulic distribution apparatus, comprising a fixed support frame formed by a substantially central longitudinal upright which has, fixed at its opposite ends, respective brackets extending perpendicularly towards the outside of the upright and provided with associated holes, and a movable counter-frame formed by a pair of longitudinal uprights connected by cross-pieces provided with associated holes, there being envisaged means for joining together the fixed frame and movable counter-frame.
Further details may be obtained from the following description of a non-limiting example of embodiment of the subject of the present invention, provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fixed support frame forming part of the device according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a movable counter-frame forming part of the device according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a covering part and a closing part forming accessories of the device according to the present invention;
Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the stages of installation of the fixed support frame of the device;
Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of the stages of installation of the movable counter-frame of the device; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention installed and closed by the accessory cover.

As shown in Fig. 1, the device according to the invention comprises a support frame 10 formed by a substantially central longitudinal upright 11 which has, fixed at its opposite ends, respective brackets 12 extending perpendicularly towards the outside of the upright and provided with associated holes 12a.
Transverse arms 13 also extend from the upright 11 and have, formed at their ends, flanges 13a provided with seats 14 suitable for engagement with corresponding pins 24 of a movable counter-frame 20.
Said arms 11 also have, formed therein, holes 13a suitable for receiving screws for fixing the frame 10 to a wall 1 (Fig. 4).
Said movable counter-frame 20 is formed by a pair of longitudinal uprights 21 connected by cross-pieces 22 provided with associated holes 22a.
Transverse flanges 23 are also fixed to the said uprights 21 and are provided with holes 23a suitable for receiving screws for fixing the cover 30.
As shown in Fig. 3, the device may also comprise a cover part 30 provided with seats 34 for engagement with the pins 24 of the counter-frame 24; it is also envisaged that the cover part may be closed by a door 40 provided with a lock 41 and viewing slot 42.
With the structure described above the stages for assembly of the device are as follows:

during construction of the building the fixed frame 10 is fixed to the wall (Fig. 4,6) by means of screws 1a which pass through the holes 13a in the arms 13;
valves 25a are inserted inside the holes 12a of the end flanges 12 so as to intercept the pipes 2 for delivery/return of the water to/from the primary distribution system;
the continuity of the pipes is restored by means of pipe sections 25 which are connected at their opposite ends to said intercepting valves 25a, preparing the primary system for any internal washing before connection to the secondary distribution system of the corresponding user;
once construction of the building has been terminated it will be possible to remove the pipes 25 and insert in position the counter-frame 20 already prepared with all the necessary control and measuring equipment;
engagement of the counter-frame 20 with the frame 10 by means of the pins 24 which enter into the respective seats 14 of the fixed frame 10 brings into a coaxial position the holes 12a and 22a of the respective flanges 12 and 22, allowing joining of suitable connectors to the intercepting valves 25a and completion of the assembly with restoration of continuity.

In order to facilitate mounting of the counter-frame 20 on the frame 10 it is also envisaged that the bottom of the latter is provided with connectors of the telescopic type able to allow easy insertion in place of the counter-place once it has been engaged with the fixed frame, by means of the pins 24, and the upper connectors have been connected to the respective upper valves joined to the said fixed frame; tightening of the locking means of the connectors and the valves then fixes in position the entire assembly.
It can therefore be seen how, with the device for assembly of hydraulic distribution and temperature control apparatus of mixed heating water and sanitary water systems according to the invention, it is possible to prepare at the factory all the joining parts, performing also pre-assembly of the control and measuring equipment which may in this way be tested beforehand under real working conditions, this increasing greatly the precision of the working processes and the rapidity of installation by the user who also need not be an expert plant engineer.
In addition to this, the device is also suitable for modular-type assembly, being able to support - without structural variations - apparatus with different hydraulic characteristics which have been pre-assembled at the factory.

Claims

Device for the assembly and installation of water temperature control and hydraulic distribution apparatus, characterized in that it comprises:
- a fixed support frame (10) formed by a substantially central longitudinal upright (11) which has, fixed at its opposite ends, respective brackets (12) extending perpendicularly towards the outside of the upright and provided with associated holes (12a),

- a movable counter-frame (20) formed by a pair of longitudinal uprights (21) connected by cross-pieces (22) provided with associated holes (22a),

- there being envisaged means (14, 24) for joining together the fixed frame (10) and movable counter-frame (20).
Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transverse arms (13) extend from the upright (11) of the frame (10) and have flanges (13a) formed at their opposite ends.
Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that said end flanges (13a) of the transverse arms (13) carry the female part (14) of said means (14, 24) for joining together the fixed frame (10) and counter-frame (20).
Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that said transverse arms (11) are provided with holes (13a) suitable for receiving screws for fixing the frame (10) to a wall (1).
Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said movable counter-frame (20) is formed by a pair of longitudinal uprights (21) connected by cross-pieces provided with associated holes (22a).
Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that transverse flanges (23) provided with holes (23a) suitable for receiving fixing screws are fixed to said uprights (21) of the counter-frame (20).
Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said pair of longitudinal uprights (21) of the counter-frame (20) have pins (24) forming the male part (14) of said means (14, 24) for joining together the fixed frame (10) and counter-frame (20).
Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that telescopic connectors able to facilitate joining of the counter-frame (20) to the fixed frame (10) are fixed to the counter-frame (20).
Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a cover part (30) provided with seats (34) for engagement with the pins (24) of the counter-frame (20).
Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a door (40) provided with a lock (419) and viewing slot (429) for closing the protective part (30).