Expansion vessel for a heating or cooling system

Abstract

An expansion vessel ( 101, 201 ) for use in a fluid circuit of a heating or cooling system ( 102 ) defines a fluid inlet port ( 103 ) and further defines a fluid outlet port ( 104 ), separate from the fluid inlet port ( 103 ). The separate fluid inlet and outlet ports ( 103, 104 ) allow fluid to flow through the expansion vessel ( 101, 102 ) along a fluid flow path from the fluid inlet port ( 103 ) to the fluid outlet port ( 104 ) to avoid stagnation of fluid within the expansion vessel ( 101, 201 ). A method of installing the expansion vessel ( 101, 201 ) in a heating or cooling system ( 102 ) having a fluid circuit. A heating or a cooling system ( 102 ) comprising a fluid circuit provided with the expansion vessel ( 101, 201 ).

1 . An expansion vessel for use in a fluid circuit of a heating or cooling system, said expansion vessel comprising a first internal volume, for receiving fluid from the fluid circuit, and a second internal volume, for containing air, said first and second internal volumes being separated by a diaphragm;
 said expansion vessel defines a fluid inlet port connectable to the fluid circuit of a heating or cooling system for receiving circulating fluid within said fluid circuit therethrough into the first internal volume of the expansion vessel, and   said expansion vessel further defines a fluid outlet port connectable to the fluid circuit of the heating or cooling system for returning circulating fluid within the first internal volume of the expansion vessel therethrough to the fluid circuit;   said fluid outlet port is separate from said fluid inlet port, and   the fluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port are each provided with a non-return valve;   whereby a one-way continuous fluid flow path through said first internal volume is defined, extending from the fluid inlet port to the fluid outlet port.   
     
     
         2 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid outlet port is located in a base wall of the expansion vessel. 
     
     
         3 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fluid inlet port is located in one of: the base wall of the expansion vessel, a side wall of the expansion vessel. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion vessel further defines an air outlet port for allowing air to exit the first internal volume of the expansion vessel. 
     
     
         6 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the air outlet port is located adjacent the diaphragm. 
     
     
         7 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the air outlet port is provided with one of: a manually-operable air vent, an automatic air vent. 
     
     
         8 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a flow path director extending within the expansion vessel from the fluid inlet port. 
     
     
         9 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the flow path director comprises a self-supporting structure. 
     
     
         10 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the flow path director comprises a tubular element. 
     
     
         11 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the tubular element is formed as a tubular coil. 
     
     
         12 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the tubular element has a first end adjacent the fluid inlet port, and a second, open end. 
     
     
         13 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the second, open end is closer to the diaphragm than the fluid inlet port. 
     
     
         14 . An expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the tubular element defines a plurality of orifices along the length thereof. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of installing an expansion vessel in the fluid circuit of a heating or cooling system, the method comprising the steps of;
 a) receiving an expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 1 ,   b) fluidly connecting the fluid inlet port of the expansion vessel to said fluid circuit, and   c) fluidly connecting the fluid outlet port of the expansion vessel to said fluid circuit.   
     
     
         17 . A method of installing an expansion vessel in the fluid circuit of a heating or cooling system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said heating or cooling system is a heating system. 
     
     
         18 . A method of installing an expansion vessel in the fluid circuit of a heating or cooling system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said heating or cooling system is a cooling system. 
     
     
         19 . A heating system comprising a fluid circuit provided with an expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A cooling system comprising a fluid circuit provided with an expansion vessel as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         21 . A heating system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein, during operation of the heating system, fluid can circulate said fluid circuit and said first internal volume of said expansion vessel. 
     
     
         22 . A cooling system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein, during operation of the cooling system, fluid can circulate said fluid circuit and said first internal volume of said expansion vessel.