Storage Tank for Pressurized Water

Abstract

Tank for storing pressurized water, including a plurality of hollow and tubular segments which are disposed adjacent and joined to each other and which are open on both sides, said tubular segments forming a tank body in which the pressure water is stored, the tank including a rectangular shape, an intake through which water enters the tank, and an outlet through which the water is evacuated from said tank. Two adjacent tubular segments are joined to each other by means of a connecting wall and the tank includes at least one cover on each side of the tank body in order to close said tank body. The connecting walls prevent a direct connection between the inside of two adjacent tubular segments, said tubular segments being communicated to each other through the covers.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International PCT Application No. PCT/EP2011/050078, filed Jan. 5, 2011 which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 10382014.8, filed Jan. 25, 2010, now granted application No. EP2354700 B1, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all they teach and disclose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to tanks for storing water, and more specifically to tanks for storing pressurized water, such as hot sanitary water.

PRIOR ART

Systems and/or installations comprising tanks for storing pressure water for its subsequent use, such as for storing pressure water, which is subsequently used for domestic purposes, for example, are known in the prior art. Thanks to said storage, when a user turns on a tap or a shower to obtain hot water the water is hot immediately without the user having to wait until it is heated by means of a heater, for example. Such tanks can also be used to supply hot water to the heating system of a house for example. The water is generally heated by solar power systems (with the tanks forming part of a solar panel for example), though it can also be heated by heaters or equivalent means if necessary.

The tanks are generally made of stainless steel, and as the water is under pressure, it is desirable that the shape of the tank is such that there are no flat surfaces, as this would create the risk of the pressure exerted by said water being focused on a specific point, causing the tank to break or even to explode, for example. As a result, known solutions present a cylindrical tank, the diameter of which depends on the capacity given to the tank, which can pose a problem in the storage of large amounts of water due to the size it can occupy for example. These cylindrical tanks are not strong enough to withstand the pressure of the water stored inside them.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,375 discloses a tank for the storage of pressure water. This tank is cylindrical and comprises an intake through which pressure water enters it, and an outlet through which hot pressure water is evacuated from its interior for its distribution.

Document WO 97745250 A1 discloses a tank for storing pressure water, comprising a tank body formed by a plurality of substantially hollow and substantially tubular segments, the pressure water being stored inside said tubular segments. The tubular segments are joined each other by means of connecting walls that extend longitudinally and which comprise an opening through which the pressure water travels from one tubular segment to another.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a tank for storing pressure water, as described in the claims.

The tank for storing pressure water of the invention comprises a tank body in which the pressure water is stored, an intake through which pressure water enters it, and an outlet through which the pressure water is evacuated for its use. Said tank also comprises a plurality of substantially hollow tubular segments, which are disposed adjacent to each other and joined to each other and which are open on both sides, the pressure water being stored inside it. The tubular segments form the tank body, so that the tank has a substantially rectangular shape.

Hence, thanks to the tubular segments, a tank with the capacity to storage a large amount of water is created without it being of a size that prevents its use or installation in certain locations, such as in the walls of a house as a partition wall or in the roofs of houses, for example. Thanks to the tank of the invention, therefore, larger amounts of water can be stored in a simple way.

The tubular segments are open on both sides, the tank body being open on both sides, and the tank comprises at least one cover on each side of the tank body in order to close said tank body. Two adjacent tubular segments are joined to each other by means of a connecting wall that extend longitudinally, said connecting walls preventing a direct connection between the inside of two adjacent tubular segments, said tubular segments being communicated to each other through the covers. Each cover comprises a substantially semi-spherical section in order to cover one end of each tubular segment, and a wall in its interior to separate one semi-spherical section from the adjacent semi-spherical section, said wall comprising at least one through-hole through which the pressure water travels from one tubular segment to an adjacent tubular segment.

Thus, a rigid union between the tubular segments and the cover is achieved as said cover is attached to the tubular segment in the whole width of both the wall of said cover and the wall of said tubular segment, the communication between the different tubular segments not being influenced by the size of the passages (through-holes in this case) through which the pressure water passes from one tubular segment to another, providing flexibility to the design of the tank without losing rigidity since the size of said passage can be increased, if a better passage of water is required for example.

These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be made evident in the light of the drawings and the detailed description thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the tank of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view in perspective of a tank body of the tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a shows a view in perspective of a cover of a storage module of the tank of FIG. 1, in which the through-holes of said cover are shown.

FIG. 3b shows a view in perspective of a cover of a storage module of the tank of FIG. 1, in which the intake or the outlet of said cover is shown.

FIG. 3c shows a view in perspective of a cover of a storage module of the tank of FIG. 1, in which the connection means of said cover are shown.

FIG. 4 shows a view in perspective of a second embodiment of the tank of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the inventive tank 100 for storing pressure water for its subsequent use. Said tank 100 comprises a tank body 2 in which the pressure water is stored, an intake 8 through which pressure water enters said tank 100, and an outlet 9 through which the pressure water of said tank 100, which has been heated, is evacuated for its supply. The tank body 2 is formed by a plurality of substantially hollow and substantially tubular segments 1, preferably four, which are disposed adjacent to each other and joined to each other forming a row, the pressure water being stored inside said tubular segments 1. As they comprise a substantially tubular shape, the tubular segments 1 withstand the pressure exerted by the pressure water that stores inside it. FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a tank body 2, which comprises four tubular segments 1 and which corresponds with the tank body 2 of the first embodiment of the tank 100.

The tubular segments 1 are joined by means of connecting walls 10, said connecting walls 10 insulating the inside of two adjacent tubular segments 1 one from the other, the tubular segments 1 not being directly communicated to each other. Said tubular segments 1 are open on both sides and the tank 100 comprises at least one cover 3 on each side of the tank body 2 in order to close said tank body 2 on both sides, the tank body 2 and said covers 3 forming a storage module 4 that corresponds with the tank 100 in the first embodiment of the invention. Thus, in said first embodiment the tank 100 comprises two covers 3 and a substantially rectangular shape.

Preferably, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c, each cover 3 comprises a substantially semi-spherical section 30 in order to cover one end of each tubular segment 1, and a wall 31 in its interior to separate a semi-spherical section 30 from the adjacent semi-spherical section 30, although it can also be the case that each cover is a semi-spherical section 30 and covers a single tubular segment 1. As they comprise a substantially semi-spherical shape, the covers 3 withstand the pressure exerted by the pressure water. As stated above, the tank 100 comprises an intake 8 and an outlet 9 for the pressure water, so that each cover 3 of the first embodiment of the invention comprises an opening 33 in a semi-spherical section 30 corresponding to one of the corresponding tubular segments 1, one of said openings 33 corresponding with the intake 8, the other opening 33 corresponding with the outlet 9. In addition, in said first embodiment, the covers 3 are disposed asymmetrically, so that the two openings 33 do not coincide for the same tubular segment 1, and the passage and/or storage of the water in all the tubular segments 1 that make up the tank 100 is allowed. To achieve this, a union is also necessary between the tubular segments 1 (its interior) that make up said tank, and said union is formed through the covers 3. Said covers 3 comprise at least one through-hole 32 in the wall 31, preferably two through-holes 32, so that the pressure water, once it has entered the tank 100, can pass from one tubular segment 1 to another through said through-holes 32. Therefore, the pressure water can circulate inside the tank 100 in such a way that it can be heated effectively, and enables a user to be provided with hot water whenever they require.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the tank 100 comprises two storage modules 4 connected to each other, although a tank 100 could also comprise more storage modules 4, as a means for increasing the capacity for storing pressure water for example. The storage modules 4 are joined together by the covers 3, and for this purpose each cover 3 comprises connection means 34 disposed in a semi-spherical section 30 that closes an external tubular segment 1 of the corresponding storage module 4, so that it can be joined with another cover 3 corresponding to another storage module 4. Preferably, the connection means 34 comprise an axial hollow extension 34a that extends from said semi-spherical section 30, and a wall 34b on the end of said hollow extension 34a, as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c. In order to join two storage modules 4, the walls 34b of two covers 3 of said storage modules 4 face each other and cooperate with each other in order to complete said union, which is made by joining said walls 34b using connection means such as screws, for example. Both storage modules 4 are joined to each other by the corresponding hollow extensions 34a, the pressure water passing from one storage module 4 to another through said corresponding hollow extensions 34a. To prevent water leaking between both walls 34b an insulating element can be disposed, such as a ring seal. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the covers 3 of both storage modules are equal, each cover 3 comprising connection means 34 and an opening 33, and the connection means 34 being disposed in a semi-spherical section 30 opposite the semi-spherical section 30 where the opening 33 is disposed. Each storage module 4 thus comprises two openings 33, and one of them is closed or covered, so that each storage module 4 keeps only one opening 33 in order to communicate with the outside, one of said openings 33 corresponding with the intake 8 and the other with the outlet 9 of the tank 100. The openings 33 that remain open (communicated to the outside of the tank) are disposed asymmetrically in the tank 100, so that the passage and/or storage of water in all the tubular segments 1 that make up said tank 100 is improved and/or allowed. Instead of all the covers 3 having one opening 33, it is also possible to dispose only two covers 3 with said openings 33 and another two covers without said openings 33. In the event that a tank 100 comprises more than two storage modules 4, the intermediate storage modules 4 do not comprise openings 33 and comprise two opposite connection means 34 for their connection to two storage modules 4 (one on each side).

Preferably, the covers 3 and the tubular segments 1 are manufactured from the same material, so that they can be joined together easily by welding and the leakage of water in the connections is prevented. Naturally, other types of connections can also be used, although the connections have to be insulated to prevent water from escaping or leaking. The material used is also a thermoplastic material, which can be moulded to provide the shape of the tubular segments 1 and of the semi-spherical sections 30 of the covers 3, which support high temperatures without becoming deformed, and which support pressure such as that exerted by hot sanitary water. Preferably, the material used is PPSU.

These types of tanks 100 can be used in different installations, such as solar panel installations or even in installations where the tank 100 can be disposed in a house or an office. Thanks to its tubular and rectangular shape, it is possible to fit it in the wall of a house, as a partition wall for example, without it using up much space in the house and/or affecting aesthetic continuity. In this particular case, the tank 100 is covered with a conventional insulating material, the idea being to prevent the pressure water stored inside it from losing heat and negatively impacting on the room of the house by heating up in summer, for example.

Claims

1. A tank for storing pressurized water comprising:

a plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of the substantially hollow structures having first and second open ends, the plurality of substantially hollow structures disposed adjacent to each other,

a first cover disposed over the first open ends comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a first open end of one of the plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow structures,

a second cover disposed over the second open ends comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a second open end of one of the plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow structures,

the plurality of substantially hollow structures, first cover and second cover joined to form the tank with a body comprising a substantially rectangular shape, the tank having an inlet within at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections through which pressurized water enters the tank and an outlet within at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections through which pressurized water is evacuated from the tank.

2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of substantially hollow structures is substantially cylindrical.

3. The tank according to claim 1, wherein adjacent substantially hollow structures are separated by a longitudinal wall that extends between the first open end and second open end of the adjacent substantially hollow structures.

4. The tank according to claim 1, wherein each of the walls separating the substantially semi-spherical sections comprises two through-holes.

5. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of substantially hollow structures, the first cover and the second cover are made from the same material.

6. The tank according to claim 5, wherein the material is a thermoplastic material.

7. The tank according to claim 6, wherein the thermoplastic material is PPSU.

8. A tank for storing pressurized water comprising:

a plurality of substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures, each of the substantially hollow structures having first and second open ends, the plurality of substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures disposed adjacent to each other with adjacent substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures separated by a longitudinal wall that extends between the first open end and second open end of the adjacent substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures,

a first cover disposed over the first open ends comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a first open end of one of the plurality of substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures,

a second cover disposed over the second open ends comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a second open end of one of the plurality of substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures,

the plurality of substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures, first cover and second cover joined to form the tank with a body comprising a substantially rectangular shape, the tank having an inlet within at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections through which pressurized water enters the tank and an outlet within at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections through which pressurized water is evacuated from the tank.

9. The tank according to claim 8, wherein each of the walls separating the substantially semi-spherical sections comprises two through-holes.

10. The tank according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of substantially hollow and substantially cylindrical structures, the first cover and the second cover are made from a thermoplastic material.

11. A tank for storing pressurized water comprising:

a first plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of the substantially hollow structures having first and second open ends, the first plurality of substantially hollow structures disposed adjacent to each other,

a first cover disposed over the first open ends of the first plurality of substantially hollow structures comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a first open end of one of the first plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow structures,

a second cover disposed over the second open ends of the first plurality of substantially hollow structures comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a second open end of one of the first plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow structures,

a second plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of the substantially hollow structures having first and second open ends, the second plurality of substantially hollow structures disposed adjacent to each other,

a third cover disposed over the first open ends of the second plurality of substantially hollow structures comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a first open end of one of the second plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow structures,

a fourth cover disposed over the second open ends of the second plurality of substantially hollow structures comprising a plurality of substantially semi-spherical sections, each of the plurality of semi-spherical sections covering a second open end of one of the plurality of substantially hollow structures, each of adjacent substantially semi-spherical sections separated by a wall having at least one through-hole to permit the pressurized water to travel between adjacent substantially hollow structures,

the first plurality of substantially hollow structures, first cover and second cover joined to form a first storage module with a body comprising a substantially rectangular shape,

the second plurality of substantially hollow structures, third cover and fourth cover joined to form a second storage module with a body comprising a substantially rectangular shape,

the first storage module and the second storage module being interconnected by one or more conduits that extend between at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections of the first storage module and at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections of the second storage module,

the tank having an inlet within at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections through which pressurized water enters the tank and an outlet within at least one of the substantially semi-spherical sections through which pressurized water is evacuated from the tank.

12. The tank according to claim 11, wherein each of the first and second plurality of substantially hollow structures is substantially cylindrical.

13. The tank according to claim 11, wherein each of the one or more conduits comprises a flanged end by which the interconnected conduits are joined.

14. The tank according to claim 11, wherein adjacent substantially hollow structures in the first storage module are separated by a longitudinal wall that extends between the first open end and second open end of the adjacent substantially hollow structures and adjacent substantially hollow structures in the second storage module are separated by a longitudinal wall that extends between the first open end and second open end of the adjacent substantially hollow structures.

15. The tank according to claim 11, wherein each of the walls separating the substantially semi-spherical sections comprises two through-holes.

16. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the first plurality of substantially hollow structures, the first cover, the second cover, the second plurality of substantially hollow structures, the third cover and the fourth cover are made from the same material.

17. The tank according to claim 16, wherein the material is a thermoplastic material.

18. The tank according to claim 17, wherein the thermoplastic material is PPSU.

19. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the first storage module and the second storage module lie substantially within the same plane.

20. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the first storage module and second storage module are positioned to form a substantially rectangular tank.