Expansion tank with heat accumulation

Abstract

An expansion tank includes a tank internally divided into at least two volumes by at least one fixed partition, wherein a first volume is configured to be connected to a hydraulic system and to contain water, thus acting as a storage tank, while the second volume is divided into two parts by a membrane. The first of the two parts, or water section, is configured to be hydraulically connected to the hydraulic system and filled with water from the hydraulic system, while the second of the two parts, or gas section, is configured to be filled with gas at a given pressure, the water section being in hydraulic communication with the first volume.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expansion tank ( 1 ), comprising:
 a tank internally divided into a first and a second volume ( 4 ,  6 ) by a fixed partition ( 31 ),   wherein:   the first volume ( 4 ) is configured to be connected to a hydraulic system and to contain water, thereby operating as a storage tank,   the second volume ( 6 ) is divided into a first and a second part by a membrane ( 7 ), wherein the first part, or water section ( 62 ), is configured to be hydraulically connected to said hydraulic system and filled with water from the hydraulic system, while the second part, or gas section ( 61 ), is configured to be filled with gas at a given pressure, and   wherein said water section ( 62 ) is in hydraulic communication with said first volume ( 4 ).   
     
     
         2 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an upper cap ( 2 );   an intermediate cap ( 3 ), joined to said upper cap ( 2 ) in such a way as to form said first volume ( 4 ) configured to contain the water; and   a lower cap ( 5 ), externally joined to said intermediate cap ( 3 ),   wherein said second volume ( 6 ) is defined between the fixed partition ( 31 ) and a side ( 51 ) of the lower cap ( 5 ), said second volume ( 6 ) being divided into the gas section and the water section ( 61 ,  62 ) by an elastic membrane ( 7 ), and   wherein the fixed partition ( 31 ) is provided with at least one opening which places said first volume ( 4 ) in communication with said water section ( 62 ).   
     
     
         3 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , further comprising a preloading valve ( 52 ) mounted on the side ( 51 ) of said lower cap ( 5 ). 
     
     
         4 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein on sides ( 21 ) of said upper cap ( 2 ) and/or of said intermediate cap ( 3 ) there are at least two fittings ( 22 ,  23 ,  32 ,  33 ), respectively for an inlet of the water into the first volume ( 4 ) and for an outlet of the water from the first volume ( 4 ). 
     
     
         5 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least two fittings comprise at least four fittings ( 22 ,  23 ,  32 ,  33 ) mounted on the sides ( 21 ) of said upper cap ( 2 ) and/or of said intermediate cap ( 3 ), and wherein at least two of the at least four fittings are for the inlet of the water into the first volume ( 4 ) and at least two of the at least four fittings are for the outlet of the water from the first volume ( 4 ). 
     
     
         6 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein at least said upper cap ( 2 ) and said intermediate cap ( 3 ) are provided with heat-insulated sides ( 21 ,  31 ). 
     
     
         7 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , further comprising a heat insulating outer casing ( 8 ) enclosing said upper, intermediate, and lower caps ( 2 ,  3 ,  5 ). 
     
     
         8 . The expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said expansion tank is sized in such a way that air volume can vary between 10 and 30% and water volume can vary between 90 and 70%. 
     
     
         9 . A hydraulic system for producing of hot water, comprising:
 at least one device configured to produce hot water;   a circuit for circulation of water, connected to said at least one device configured for producing the hot water; and   at least one user unit connected to said circuit; and   an expansion tank ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , connected to said circuit and configured to receive the hot water coming from said at least one device for producing the hot water and/or returning from said at least one user unit, and to convey the water to said one or more user units and/or to said at least one device for producing the hot water.