Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
Hot water tank
The invention relates to a hot water tank, with an outer container, with an
inner container which is arranged in the outer container and which serves for
the reception of hot water and is spaced apart from the outer container, and
with a heat insulation layer which is arranged between the inner container
and the outer container.
Hot water tanks of this type may be used, for example, as boilers, in service
water installations or as buffer stores in heating systems.
Such a hot water tank is known, for example, from DE 35 27 315 Al. The
outer container and inner container are essentially cylindrical and are
manufactured from a relatively thin-walled material, for example from sheet
steel. An insulating foam is arranged between the outer container and the
inner container. A heat-insulating and mechanically stable composite
structure consisting of the inner container, heat insulation layer and outer
container can consequently be provided.
It is desirable also to use hot water tanks of this type in confined
conditions
of space, such as occur, for example, in motor vehicles, in particular in
mobile homes or other camping vehicles.
The object of the invention is to provide a hot water tank which can be
adapted effectively to predetermined conditions of space and can be
produced cost-effectively.
The object is achieved by means of the features of the independent patent
claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the
subclaims.
According to a first aspect, the hot water tank of the type initially
mentioned
is distinguished in that the inner container has planar polygonal walls and
the outer container has planar polygonal walls. The planar polygonal walls
of the inner container and/or of the outer container have supporting elements
which are designed such that they counteract an internal pressure of the hot
water tank so that the hot water tank preserves its shape.
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 2 -
The planar polygonal walls of the hot water tank make it possible to adapt
the hot water tank to spaces of any desired configuration and geometry.
Consequently, the spaces which are of any desired shape can be utilized
particularly effectively for receiving a hot water tank. Furthermore, by
means of the supporting elements, a dimensionally stable design of the
planar polygonal walls of the hot water tank can be achieved. It is possible,
in particular, to avoid the situation where a deformation of the planar
polygonal walls occurs due to the internal pressure of the hot water tank.
In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the inner container has at
least two polygonal walls which lie opposite one another and are parallel to
one another, and the outer container has at least two polygonal walls which
lie opposite one another and are parallel to one another. It thereby becomes
possible for the hot water tank to be fitted into spaces having, in
particular,
parallel walls.
In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the inner container has at
least four polygonal walls, of which in each case two lie opposite one
another and are parallel to one another, and the outer container has at least
four polygonal walls, of which in each case two lie opposite one another and
are parallel to one another.
The advantage of this is that the hot water tank can be adapted to
installation
spaces having a plurality of walls parallel to one another.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least two
polygonal walls of the inner container which lie opposite one another are
congruent with one another, and at least two polygonal walls of the outer
container which lie opposite one another are congruent with one another.
It is particularly advantageous if the polygonal walls are rectangular. It is
consequently possible to adapt the hot water tank to orthogonally designed
installation spaces. Thus, for example, the hot water tank can
advantageously be used particularly effectively in buildings in a basement
boiler room with confined conditions of space and also in vehicles.
Particularly in mobile applications, that is to say, above all, in mobile
homes
or other camping vehicles with the small amount of space available there,
the hot water tank can be accommodated with an exact fit in free spaces, and
the occurrence of dead unusable spaces is avoided.
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 3 -
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the supporting
elements are arranged at least partially on an outer side of the outer
container. The supporting elements can consequently be attached at a later
stage in a simple way. Moreover, a simple introduction of the pressure
forces into the supporting elements is made possible.
In a further advantageous refinement of the invention, the supporting
elements are designed at least partially as stamped-out portions of the walls
of the outer container. The supporting elements can consequently be
produced in a simple way during or after the production of the outer
container.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inner container
consists of a noncorrosive material. It is particularly advantageous if the
inner container consists of a high-grade steel. In this case, it is possible
that
the inner container acquires high corrosion resistance and high mechanical
stability.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer container
consists of a metal. It is particularly advantageous if the outer container
consists of a material which is selected from a group composed of aluminum
and aluminum compounds. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that a
low specific weight of the material in the outer container and good
mechanical stability are afforded. Furthermore, an outer container which is
manufactured from materials of this type can be produced particularly cost-
effectively.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer container
consists of extruded aluminum or an extruded aluminum compound. It is
consequently possible, even during the production of the outer container, to
integrate built-on parts into the outer container. Such built-on parts may be,
for example, supporting elements or holding elements, but also connection
pieces for measuring devices.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer container
has a first part in the form of a half shell and a second part in the form a
half
shell. This makes it possible to produce the outer container particularly
simply and to assemble the hot water tank in a simple way.
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 4 -
In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heat
insulation layer has a polyurethane foam. The heat insulation layer
consisting of a polyurethane foam can be produced simply and cost-
effectively.
In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heat
insulation layer has a synthetic fiber material. The heat insulation layer
consisting of a synthetic fiber material can allow good heat insulation along
with a high mechanical stability of the heat insulation layer.
According to a second aspect, the invention is distinguished by a method for
producing a hot water tank by provision of a first part in the form of a half
shell and of a second part in the form of a half shell of the outer container,
by application of foamable plastic materials to an inner side of the first
part
and an inner side of the second part of the outer container, and by
introduction of the inner container between the first part in the form of a
half
shell and the second part in the form of a half shell of the outer container.
The method comprises, further, bracing of the inner container with the first
part and the second part of the outer container by means of a bracing device
and action on the inner container with an internal pressure above
atmospheric pressure, until the heat insulation layer is formed by the
foaming and curing of the plastic materials between the inner container and
the first and second parts in the form of a half shell of the outer container,
reduction of the internal pressure in the inner container to ambient pressure,
and removal of the bracing device.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with
reference to the diagrammatic diagrams in which:
figure 1 shows a perspective, partially cutaway view of a hot water tank.
figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the hot water tank along the
line II-II of figure 1 in a first embodiment,
figure 3 shows a cross section through the hot water tank along the line
III-III of figure 2 in the first embodiment, and
figure 4 shows a cross section through the hot water tank in a further
embodiment.
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 5 -
Elements of identical design or functioning are given the same reference
symbols throughout the figures.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of hot water tank 10 with an outer
container 14 in which an inner container 12 is arranged. The outer container
14 has an upper wall 24a and a lower wall 24b, lateral walls 30a, 30b and
end walls 32. The walls 24a, 24b, 30a, 30b, 32 of the outer container are of
rectangular design here, but may also assume any other desired planar
polygonal shapes. In each case two of the walls 24a, 24b, 30a, 30b of the
inner container 12 lie opposite one another, but may also be arranged at an
oblique angle to one another.
The outer container 14 has on its walls 24a, 24b, 30a, 30b, 32 supporting
elements 16, (partially concealed in the figure) which serve for a mechanical
stabilization of the hot water tank 10 with respect to fluctuations in the
internal pressure.
On the embodiment shown here, the supporting elements 16 on the end
walls 32 are designed so as to be raised, while the supporting elements 16 of
the walls 24a, 24b, 30a, 30b of the outer container 14 are designed as
stamped-out portions of the walls 24a, 24b, 30a, 30b of the outer container
14. In alternative embodiments, however, the supporting elements 16 on the
end walls 32 may also be designed as stamped-out portions of the end walls
32 or the supporting elements 16 of the walls 24a, 24b, 30a, 30b may be of
raised design.
The hot water tank has a first connection piece 18 and a second connection
piece 20. If the hot water tank 10 is used, for example, as a service water
tank, then, for example, cold water can be introduced into the hot water tank
via the second connection piece 20 and heated-up hot water can be
extracted at the first connection piece 18. By contrast, if the hot water tank
10 is used, for example, as a buffer store for a heating system, then hot
water
heated by a burner (not illustrated) can be introduced into the hot water tank
10 via the first connection piece 18, while cooler water can pass back to the
burner, to be heated up, via the second connection piece 20.
A longitudinal section through the hot water tank 10 of figure 1 is
illustrated
in figure 2 and a cross section through the hot water tank 10 of figure 1 is
illustrated in figure 3.
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 6 -
Between the inner container 12 and the outer container 14 a heat insulation
layer 26 is arranged. This preferably has a polyurethane foam. Moreover, it
is advantageous if the heat insulation layer has synthetic fiber materials
which give the heat insulation layer a good heat insulation capacity and high
mechanical stability. The heat insulation layer 26 serves for protecting hot
water received in the inner container 12 against cooling down with respect
to the region surrounding the hot water tank 10.
The inner container 12 has an upper wall 22a, a lower wa1122b, lateral walls
28a, 28b and end walls 31. The walls 22a, 22b, 28a, 28b, 31 of the inner
container 12 are rectangular in the embodiment shown here. Further, in each
case, two of the walls 22a, 22b, 28a, 28b, of the inner container 12 lie
opposite one another. However, the walls 22a, 22b, 28a, 28b of the inner
container 12 may assume any other desired polygonal shape and even be
arranged at an oblique angle to one another.
The inner container 12 and the outer container 14 preferably consist in each
case of a metal.
It is particularly preferred if the inner container 12 consists of a high-
grade
steel, since in this case a corrosion of the inner container 12 can be
counteracted and a high stability of the inner container can be achieved.
The outer container 12 preferably consists of aluminum or of an aluminum
compound. In particular, the outer container 14 may be produced from
extruded aluminum or an extruded aluminum compound. Extruded
components consisting of aluminum or aluminum compounds are
particularly advantageous, since in these, for example, the supporting
elements 16 designed as stamped-out portions or arranged on a wall 24a,
24b, 30a, 30b, 32 can be formed particularly effectively as integral parts of
the walls of the outer container 14. Moreover, these materials are very light,
this being particularly advantageous especially in mobile applications.
The hot water tank 10 illustrated in figures 1-3 can be adapted very
effectively to various spatial shapes and geometries. If, for example, the hot
water tank 10 is to be used in mobile applications, such as in a mobile home
or another camping vehicle, then, in particular, the height of the hot water
tank 10 can be adapted in such a way that even flat installation spaces, such
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 7 -
as are often available in vehicles of this type, can be utilized for the hot
water tank 10.
Figure 4 illustrates a cross section through a further embodiment of the hot
water tank 10. The outer container 14 has a first part 34 in the form of a
half
shell and a second part 36 in the form of a half shell. The first part 34 in
the
form of a half shell and the second part 36 in the form of a half shell of the
outer container 14 are designed such that they can be connected positively to
one another by means of connection elements 38. A two-part version of the
outer container 14 may be particularly advantageous in the production of the
hot water tank 10, as will be shown below.
A method for producing the hot water tank 10 is illustrated in detail below:
First, the first part 34 in the form of a half shell and the second part 36 in
the
form of a half shell of the outer container 14 are provided. Foamable plastic
materials are then applied in each case to an inner side of the first part 34
in
the form of a half shell and of the second part 36 in the form of a half shell
of the outer container 14.
Subsequently, the inner container 12 is introduced between the first part 34
in the form of a half shell and the second part 36 in the form of a half shell
of the outer container 14. This preferably takes place in that the inner
container 12 is, for example, first applied to the second part 34 in the form
of a half shell and then the first part 36 in the form of a half shell of the
outer container 14 is laid over the inner container 12. In a further preferred
embodiment, the first part 34 in the form of a half shell and the second part
36 in the form of a half shell of the outer container 14 are first connected
to
one another, and then the inner container 12 is pushed between the
composite structure consisting of the first part 34 in the form of a half
shell
and second part 36 in the form of a half shell of the outer container 14. The
basic shape of the hot water tank 10, as shown in the embodiment of figure
4, is consequently already predetermined.
The inner container 12 is then braced with the first part 34 and the second
part 36 of the outer container 14 by means of a bracing device, not shown,
and the inner container 13 is acted upon with an internal pressure above
atmospheric pressure. Action upon the inner container 12 with an internal
pressure above atmospheric pressure is particularly advantageous because
CA 02625749 2008-04-10
- 8 -
the foamable plastic materials, during foaming, can increase their volume,
and this may lead to a deformation of the inner container 12. In an extreme
case, it would even be possible for the inner container 12 to be destroyed by
one of the walls 22a, 22b, 28a, 28b, 31 of the inner container 12 being
pressed in or torn open by the foamable plastic materials.
The heat insulation layer 26 is formed as a result of the foaming and curing
of the plastic materials between the inner container 12 and the first and
second parts 34, 36 in the form of a half shell of the outer container 14. The
inner container 12, the heat insulation layer 26 and the outer container 14
form a sandwich structure. After the foaming and curing of the foamable
plastic materials have ended and the heat insulation layer 26 is formed
between the inner container 12 and the first and the second part 34, 36 in the
form of a half shell of the outer container, the internal pressure in the
inner
container 12 is reduced to ambient pressure.
Preferably, then, the connection elements 38 can be attached at connection
points between the first part 34 in the form of a half shell and the second
part 36 in the form of a half shell of the outer container 14, in order to
achieve a positive connection between the two parts 34, 36 in the form of a
half shell of the outer container 14 and, consequently, a stable mechanical
set-up of the hot water tank 10.
Finally, the bracing device is removed from the hot water tank 10.
