System for producing heat for domestic hot water or central heating

Abstract

The present application relates to a system (100) for producing domestic hot water and heat for central heating, the system (100) comprising: a heat generator (1) for obtaining heat from a heat source, the heat generator (1) having a generator outlet port (1.1) and a generator return port (1.2); a central heating circuit (3) having a heating supply port (3.1) and a heating return port (3.2); a tank (11) having a top and a bottom, the tank (11) containing a thermal storage medium (12); a first tapping coil (7) immersed in the thermal storage medium (12) in the bottom of the tank (11); a second tapping coil (6) immersed in the thermal storage medium (12) in the top of the tank (11); and means (8, 9, 13, 14) for warming domestic hot water; wherein the heat generator (1), the second tapping coil (6), the central heating circuit (3) and the first tapping coil (7) are fluidly connected in series so as to allow fluid to flow from the heat generator (1) back to the heat generator (1) via at least one of the second tapping coil (6), the central heating circuit (3) and the first tapping coil(7); the system (100) further comprising: a first three-way valve (2) fluidly connected to the generator outlet port (1.1), the second tapping coil (6) and the heating supply port (3.1), and configured to selectively bypass or flow fluid through the second tapping coil (6); a second three-way valve (4) fluidly connected to the heating supply port (3.1) and the heating return port (3.2), and configured to selectively bypass or flow fluid through the central heating circuit (3); and a third three-way valve (5) fluidly connected to the first tapping coil (7) and the generator return port (1.2), and configured to selectively bypass or flow fluid through the first tapping coil (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating, the system comprising a heat generator for obtaining heat from a heat source, a central heating circuit, a tank having a top and a bottom, a tap coil immersed in a heat storage medium, and means for heating domestic hot water, the tank containing the heat storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Heating systems described above are generally known from the prior art, for example from EP 2629020 A2. According to this prior art device, a system for heating a building has a tank containing a heat storage medium. Typically, and also for this invention, water is used as the heat storage medium. However, other materials, particularly fluids, can also be used.

[0003] The thermal storage medium, such as water, in a tank tends to employ a stratified structure based on different temperature layers. Therefore, the temperature of the thermal storage medium within the tank changes more or less continuously from a relatively low temperature at the bottom to a relatively high temperature at the top. This stratification structure is called stratification and allows the thermal storage medium to have not only a single average temperature at any given time, but also a relatively wide temperature range.

[0004] In the prior art apparatus described in the aforementioned literature, the heat storage medium is heated via a heat exchanger. However, the heat exchanger is vertically immersed in the heat storage medium and extends a considerable distance from the top of the tank towards its bottom. Therefore, the stratification inside the tank is disrupted by the relatively hot fluid flowing from the top of the tank towards its bottom through the coils of the heat exchanger, thus heating not only the top but also the lower part of the heat storage medium within the tank. In this way, heat is effectively transferred to the bottom of the tank, resulting in internal heat loss.

[0005] Furthermore, this type of heat exchanger cannot be used optimally under the aforementioned conditions. If the water at different stratification levels has a temperature equal to or higher than the flow temperature within the heat exchanger, the active heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger is reduced. In other words, the heat exchanger is inefficiently active along a portion of its length, i.e., the surrounding heat storage medium has a temperature equal to or even higher than the flow temperature within the heat exchanger. Therefore, if the heat storage medium is not heated according to its stratification, a decrease in the efficiency of transferring heat to the heat storage medium within the tank can be observed.

[0006] Current trends generally involve measures to reduce home energy consumption. Particularly during the spring and fall, the demand for heat in homes via central heating is very limited, but not zero. This results in heating systems operating in an on-off cycle for a considerable period throughout the year, which is inefficient. In particular, switching between the system's "on" and "off" states reduces the effectiveness of the heat generator or general heat source.

[0007] Furthermore, the aforementioned device cannot utilize the thermal energy of the coldest possible return fluid in the heating circuit. The lowest possible temperature of the return fluid is typically lower than the temperature of the heat storage medium at the top of the tank, causing the return fluid to cool the top of the heat storage medium. Therefore, even though the return fluid may still be warmer than the heat storage medium at the bottom of the tank, the operating mode of transferring heat energy from the return fluid to the heat storage medium is not used at all.

[0008] Another drawback of the aforementioned device is the relatively inefficient defrosting operation, where a relatively high-temperature heat storage medium (i.e., hot water) is used for any defrosting operation. This, in turn, means a reduction in the volume of heat storage medium used for hot drinking water applications such as domestic hot water (DHW), since these applications typically require the highest temperatures of the heat storage medium, which is not usually the case for heating circuits.

[0009] Therefore, the known concepts leave room for improvement, even though the known concepts are already relatively efficient and environmentally friendly constructions for heating systems.

[0010] JP 2004-294019 A discloses an electric water heating device that allows preheating of water in a hot water storage tank via a shared pump component and piping with a heat exchanger for heating. A heat exchanger for heat recovery is located in the lower part of the tank to introduce water into the bathtub and perform heat exchange. The inlet pipes of a first heat exchanger for heating and a second heat exchanger for heat recovery are respectively connected to the outlet pipes of the bathtub. The outlet pipes of the heat exchanger for heating and the heat exchanger for heat recovery are respectively connected to the inlet pipes of the bathtub, and a selection valve is provided to selectively switch the passage of the bathtub's outlet pipe between the heat exchanger for heating and the heat exchanger for heat recovery. However, this configuration also has the disadvantages mentioned above with respect to EP2629020 A. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Based on the above, the present invention aims to solve the problem of how to improve the efficiency of a known system, which is specifically used in conjunction with a heat generator to generate domestic hot water and heat for central heating.

[0012] This problem is solved by the system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating, as described in the first aspect. Preferred features and embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent aspects.

[0013] According to the present invention, a system is provided, comprising: a heat generator for obtaining heat from a heat source, the heat generator having a generator outlet port and a generator return port; a central heating circuit having a heat supply port and a heat return port; a tank having a top and a bottom, the tank containing a heat storage medium; a first tap coil immersed in the heat storage medium in the bottom of the tank; a second tap coil immersed in the heat storage medium in the top of the tank; and means for heating the domestic hot water. According to the present invention, the heat generator, the second tap coil, the central heating circuit, and the first tap coil are fluidly connected in series to allow fluid to flow from the heat generator back to the heat generator via at least one of the second tap coil, the central heating circuit, and the first tap coil. The system further includes: a first three-way valve fluidly connected to the generator outlet port, the second tap coil, and the heating supply port, and configured to selectively allow the fluid to bypass or flow through the second tap coil; a second three-way valve fluidly connected to the heating supply port and the heating return port, and configured to selectively allow the fluid to bypass or flow through the central heating circuit; and a third three-way valve fluidly connected to the first tap coil and the generator return port, and configured to selectively allow the fluid to bypass or flow through the first tap coil.

[0014] This invention improves the efficiency of the heating process. Specifically, it allows for the preheating of domestic hot water and the removal of heat from fluids at relatively low temperatures in the buffer tank, thus avoiding cyclical effects detrimental to heating efficiency. Through the claimed construction of the system, the heat energy provided by the heat generator can be selectively buffered partially or completely, or heat energy from the central heating loop can be used. In addition to any heating function of the heat generator, it is possible to preheat the fluid to be heated by the heat generator via the heat storage fluid in the tank to increase the fluid's temperature. For example, excess heat can be stored not only in the heat storage medium but also extracted from the heat storage medium through at least one of the first and second branch coils. Furthermore, heat from return fluid from the central heating system or fluid bypassing the central heating loop can be used to heat the heat storage medium, thereby heating domestic hot water more efficiently.

[0015] When the heat storage medium is heated according to this configuration, the stratification inside the tank can be preserved because either the first or second branch coil can be selectively used, and thus the temperature range of the heat storage medium surrounding the respective branch coil can be selectively used. In this way, even the thermal energy of relatively cold fluids, such as return fluids, can be transferred to the heat storage medium and thus buffered within it.

[0016] Because the first and second tap coils are located at different vertical positions within the chamber—specifically at the top and bottom—heat transfer can be more precisely configured between the heating fluid on one side and the heat storage medium on the other. In this way, an optimized temperature difference between the heating fluid and the heat storage medium can be utilized. To transfer heat to the heat storage medium, the cooler fluid is guided through the first tap coil at the bottom, while the warmer fluid is guided through the second tap coil at the top of the chamber.

[0017] In this way, only the top of the chamber, only the bottom of the chamber, or both sections can be selectively heated to avoid internal losses due to disrupted stratification and thus mixing of the heat storage medium, and to ensure maximum effective heat exchange surface between the heat storage medium and the fluid. Therefore, a cold fluid, which may have a temperature only higher than the heat storage medium in the bottom of the chamber but not higher than the heat storage medium in the top of the chamber, can also be used to preheat the heat storage medium in the lower part of the chamber.

[0018] Even during spring or autumn, extensive use of switching cycles can be avoided because the heat storage medium can act as a buffer for the thermal energy of not only high-temperature fluids but also low-temperature fluids. This effect improves the system's efficiency relative to existing technology systems due to the more efficient availability of the heat generator, which can operate at full load for longer periods, resulting in fewer switching operations between "on" and "off" states.

[0019] Defrosting operations can be performed with even greater efficiency. For defrosting, high-temperature fluids are not required; however, defrosting can be effectively performed as long as the fluid temperature is sufficiently above the freezing level that prevents freezing in the central heating circuit. Since defrosting does not involve heating the central heating circuit, but requires a fluid temperature far lower than that used for heating operations to prevent freezing in the central heating circuit, this invention allows for more efficient defrosting by using a relatively low temperature level of the defrosting fluid, thus avoiding wasting the thermal energy of the high-temperature heat storage medium at the top of the tank. Conversely, a temperature level corresponding to the temperature around the first tap coil in the heat storage medium immersed at the bottom of the tank is sufficient for defrosting, eliminating the need to use the higher temperature level of the heat storage medium at the top of the tank.

[0020] Due to the protected construction of the system used to generate domestic hot water and heat for central heating, the heat generated by the heat generator can be utilized more efficiently, and the number of switching operations between the "on" and "off" states of the heat generator can be reduced.

[0021] Another advantage of this invention is its free cooling capability. When the heat storage medium in the bottom of the tank is cooled due to tapping, it can be used, for example, during the relatively warm summer months to supply cold running water to heated houses. In these cases, supplying cold running water to the house results in a warm return flow from the house, which subsequently heats the heat storage medium in the bottom of the tank. This effect can also be used in heat generators that do not typically have a cooling function.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the first three-way valve is configured to selectively allow the fluid to partially bypass and partially flow through the second tap coil.

[0023] In this way, further flexibility is achieved because fluid can be allowed to bypass or flow through the second tap coil not only completely but also partially. This allows for finer control of the amount of buffered heat energy in or extracted from the heat storage medium. However, a first three-way valve can also be constructed so that fluid only bypasses or flows through the second tap coil completely.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the second tap coil has a second coil supply port and a second coil return port, wherein the first three-way valve is fluidly connected to the second coil supply port and the generator outlet port, and is configured to at least partially selectively block the second coil supply port so that the fluid at least partially bypasses the second tap coil.

[0025] This configuration is a particularly effective way to direct fluid from the heat generator to or through the second tap coil based on the heat demand of the corresponding part of the system. Alternatively, the first three-way valve can also be fluidly connected to the second coil return port instead of the second coil supply port. The second tap coil can also be bypassed by blocking the second coil return port, but it is advantageous to place the first three-way valve upstream of the coil, i.e., at its supply port.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the second three-way valve is configured to selectively allow the fluid to partially bypass and partially flow through the central heating circuit.

[0027] This approach allows for further flexibility, as the fluid can be directed not only completely but also partially through the central heating circuit. This enables finer adjustments to the amount of heat energy to be used in the central heating circuit. However, a second three-way valve can also be constructed to allow the fluid to bypass or flow entirely through the central heating circuit.

[0028] Preferably, the third three-way valve is configured to selectively allow the fluid to partially bypass and partially flow through the first tap coil.

[0029] In this way, further flexibility is achieved because fluid can be allowed to bypass or flow through the first tap coil not only completely but also partially. This allows for finer control of the amount of buffered heat energy in or extracted from the heat storage medium. However, a third three-way valve can also be constructed so that fluid only bypasses or flows through the first tap coil completely.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the first tap coil has a first coil supply port and a first coil return port, wherein the third three-way valve is fluidly connected to the first coil supply port and the generator return port, and is configured to at least partially selectively block the first coil supply port so that the fluid at least partially bypasses the first tap coil.

[0031] In this manner, similar to the preferred configuration of the first three-way valve described above, this configuration is particularly effective in guiding fluid from the central heating circuit or its bypass to or through the first tap coil, depending on the heat energy requirements of the corresponding part of the system. Alternatively, the third three-way valve can also be fluidly connected to the return port of the first coil instead of the supply port. The first tap coil can also be bypassed by blocking the return port, but it is advantageous to place the third three-way valve upstream of the coil, i.e., at its supply port.

[0032] The preferred system further includes a pump configured to drive the fluid from the heat generator back to the heat generator, preferably via at least one of the second tap coil, the central heating circuit, and the first tap coil, according to the arrangement of the system's first to third three-way valves.

[0033] This type of pump facilitates system operation, but is not entirely necessary for it. However, using a pump allows for more precise regulation of the fluid flow rate through the system, thereby enabling more precise control over the amount of heat transferred. As a supplement to or alternative to this pump, one or more pumps can be installed to selectively drive the flow of fluid through the first or second branch coil or the central heating circuit.

[0034] A preferred system includes an electric heater for heating the fluid, wherein the electric heater is configured to directly heat the fluid downstream of the heat generator outlet port and preferably upstream of the first three-way valve.

[0035] In particular, such electric heaters allow for the supplementation of heat energy supplied to the system by the heat generator, for example, if the heat source does not provide sufficient heat energy, or if the heat generator does not generate enough heat for a central heating circuit or for domestic hot water or other heat applications. This can be the case, for example, if the external temperature is very low, resulting in a relatively high demand for heat energy, while the heat generated by the heat generator can be quite low.

[0036] The preferred location of the electric heater results in a particularly efficient availability of the heat energy supplied to the system. Consequently, the system's valves and components can be used in the same manner as during operation of the heat generator alone, rather than the electric heater. In this way, the electric heater can provide additional heat at a temperature level higher than that provided by the heat generator, thereby heating the fluid from the heat generator up to the required or desired temperature of the system downstream of the electric heater. In the preferred location of the electric heater, this can supply not only the hot fluid to the central heating circuit but also to a second branch coil to heat the heat storage medium within the tank, for example, providing heat for domestic hot water applications.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes an electric immersion heater that is immersed in the heat storage medium in the tank to heat the heat storage medium.

[0038] Similar to the aforementioned configuration of a system having an electric heater for directly heating fluid downstream of the heat generator outlet port, the electric heater can also be used to indirectly heat fluid by directly heating a heat storage medium within a heating tank. The heat storage medium within the heating tank can have the additional effect of directly heating drinking water; that is, the heat storage medium is tap water and not merely a medium for storing heat. Furthermore, an electric heater for directly heating fluid downstream of the heat generator (particularly fluid to be guided through a central heating circuit) and an electric immersion heater for the heat storage medium within the heating tank can be combined.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the generator outlet port is fluidly connected to the second tap coil via the first three-way valve, and optionally fluidly connected to the heating supply port via the second three-way valve. The second tap coil may optionally be fluidly connected to the heating supply port via at least one of the first and second three-way valves. The heating return port may optionally be fluidly connected to the first tap coil via at least one of the second and third three-way valves. The first tap coil may optionally be fluidly connected to the generator return port via the third three-way valve.

[0040] In a preferred configuration, the first three-way valve is positioned to allow fluid to flow through or around the second tap coil. Therefore, the first three-way valve can be used to determine whether the fluid leaving the heat generator is to be used to heat the heat storage medium in the tank via the second tap coil or, preferably, also partially directly for central heating.

[0041] When at least a portion of the fluid passes through the first three-way valve and bypasses the second tap coil, it may flow directly to the central heating, or pass through the second three-way valve on its way to the central heating. The second three-way valve may be positioned along a path directly from the return port of the first three-way valve and / or the second coil to the heating supply port to allow fluid to flow at least partially through or bypass the central heating by at least partially opening or shutting off the line to the heating supply port, or it may be positioned along a bypass line bypassing the central heating, in which case the return port of the first three-way valve and / or the second coil may be directly connected to the heating supply port.

[0042] If the first three-way valve is configured as a cross between the generator outlet port and the second coil return port, the second tap coil, in particular the second coil return port, can be fluidly connected to the heating supply port as described above via the second three-way valve and / or via the first three-way valve, or via both directly.

[0043] The heating return port can be fluidly connected to the first tap coil, either directly or via a second or third three-way valve, or via both. The positions of the second and third three-way valves determine whether the heating return port is fluidly connected via either of these three-way valves. However, regardless of the position described above, the fluid can be guided through or around the first tap coil based on the temperature of the fluid returning from the central heating circuit, and the temperature and distribution of the heat storage medium within the tank.

[0044] In particular, the preferred embodiment is especially effective for preheating operations, as it is used to selectively store thermal energy in a storage medium within a tank and / or to utilize the thermal energy of a storage medium intended for a central heating circuit or tap water. Furthermore, the buffering characteristics of the system according to the invention can be achieved in a particularly effective manner according to this construction. Moreover, the requirement for a minimal number of components to obtain a system with the described advantageous effects is also a reason why this preferred embodiment is particularly effective.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the tank is unpressurized, and the system further includes a heat exchanger as a means of heating domestic hot water to transfer heat from the heat storage medium to the domestic hot water.

[0046] The heat exchanger that transfers heat from the storage medium to the domestic hot water can be located inside or outside the tank, allowing for the separation of the storage medium on one side and the domestic hot water on the other. Therefore, the storage medium can be selected regardless of any requirements the drinking water must meet, allowing components or additives that are not permitted in drinking water to be included in the storage medium. Consequently, a wider range of fluids can be used as the storage medium, which can be particularly helpful in terms of system maintenance or wear and tear.

[0047] Preferably, the heat exchanger comprises heat exchanger coils immersed in the heat storage medium within the chamber. In this way, thermal energy can be transferred in a well-controlled manner between the heat storage medium and the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, and allows the use of commonly known devices. Furthermore, unlike external heat exchangers, only a small amount of additional space is required for the heat exchanger, provided the chamber is large enough to accommodate the heat exchanger coils. Moreover, there is no need to actively drive the heat storage medium to the heat exchanger coils for heat exchange.

[0048] As an alternative or supplement to the above embodiments, the heat exchanger preferably includes a domestic hot water heat exchanger outside the tank, the domestic hot water heat exchanger being fluidly connected to the tank to allow the heat storage medium to flow through the domestic hot water heat exchanger, and the system more preferably includes a heat exchanger pump configured to drive the heat storage medium to flow through the domestic hot water heat exchanger.

[0049] Installing an external heat exchanger outside the tank allows for greater flexibility in placing the heat exchanger inside the building and minimizing the size of the tank. Furthermore, the size of the heat exchanger, and therefore its heat exchange capacity, is not tightly coupled to the size of the tank, which increases the flexibility of the entire system. An optional heat exchanger pump allows for more precise control over the amount of heat-carrying storage medium flowing through the heat exchanger—that is, the amount of heat transferred to the domestic hot water within the heat exchanger.

[0050] According to an alternative embodiment, the tank is pressurized and includes a domestic hot water inlet and a domestic hot water outlet, and the heat storage medium is domestic hot water.

[0051] This system configuration minimizes any loss of heat energy transferred from the heat storage medium to the domestic hot water. Since the domestic hot water is also the heat storage medium in this preferred embodiment, no heat transfer is required between the heat storage medium and the domestic hot water. Therefore, the domestic hot water can be heated more efficiently compared to a configuration where only the heat storage medium is used for final heating.

[0052] Further advantages of the invention can be seen from the entire set of claims and the following description of the drawings and preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0053] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a preferred system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown.

[0054] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a preferred system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown.

[0055] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 A third embodiment of a preferred system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown.

[0056] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 A fourth embodiment of a preferred system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a preferred system 100 for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown. System 100 includes a heat generator 1, a central heating circuit 3, and a tank 11 holding a heat storage medium 12, with a first branch coil 7 and a second branch coil 6 immersed in the heat storage medium 12. Furthermore, a heat exchanger coil 13 is immersed in the heat storage medium 12 within the tank 11.

[0058] System 100 is configured such that heat generator 1, second tap coil 6, central heating circuit 3 and first tap coil 7 are connected in series in a fluid connection and form a circuit in which the first tap coil is fluidly connected to heat generator 1.

[0059] The heat generator 1 includes a generator outlet port 1.1 and a generator return port 1.2. Fluid heated in the heat generator 1 exits the heat generator 1 via the generator outlet port 1.1 and passes through a first three-way valve 2. At the first three-way valve 2, the fluid can be partially or completely guided through the second coil supply port 6.1 through the second tap coil 6, or bypass the second tap coil 6 and flow directly to the central heating circuit 3. If the fluid is guided through the second tap coil 6, it enters the second tap coil 6 via the second coil supply port 6.1 to heat the heat storage medium 12, preferably water, in the upper part of the tank 11. Furthermore, the fluid exits the second tap coil 6 via the second coil return port 6.2 to further flow to the central heating circuit 3, optionally combined with the portion of the fluid guided directly towards the central heating circuit 3 through the first three-way valve 2 (if present).

[0060] The central heating circuit 3 includes a heating supply port 3.1 and a heating return port 3.2. Fluid can be bypassed or directed through the central heating circuit 3, either completely or partially, via a second three-way valve 4. For this purpose, the second three-way valve 4 is configured to completely or partially open or block bypass lines used to bypass the central heating circuit 3, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0061] Further downstream, Figure 1 A third three-way valve 5 is shown, which controls whether fluid flows through the first coil supply port 7.1, through the first tap coil 7, and exits through the first coil return port 7.2. The first tap coil 7 is located in the bottom of the tank 11, where the heat storage medium 12, at a lower temperature than the top of the tank 11, exists according to the stratification of the heat storage medium 12. Fluid returns from the third three-way valve 5 and / or the first coil return port 7.2 to the heat generator 1 via the heat generator return port 1.2 for potential reheating.

[0062] For clarity, it should be noted that the first three-way valve 2 can be located not only at the second coil supply port 6.1, but also at the second coil return port 6.2; the second three-way valve 4 can be located not only at the heating return port 3.2, but also at the heating supply port 3.1; and the third three-way valve 5 can be located not only at the first coil supply port 7.1, but also at the first coil return port 7.2.

[0063] The tank 11 also surrounds a heat exchanger coil 13 through which domestic hot water is heated by heat stored in a heat storage medium 12 within the tank 11. For this purpose, a cold drinking water inlet 8 is provided through which cold drinking water is guided into the tank 11 and heated from bottom to top by the heat storage medium 12 within the tank 11, so as to exit the tank 11 via a hot drinking water outlet 9 located at the top of the tank 11.

[0064] Pump 18 is used to drive fluid through heat generator 1 and selectively through central heating circuit 3, first tap coil 7, and second tap coil 6. Pump 18 can be located anywhere along the pipeline through which the fluid passes in each configuration of the three-way valve.

[0065] To determine the temperature of the corresponding fluid along the loop and in tank 11, several thermometers 17 are installed along the pipeline, such as in... Figure 1 As can be seen in the text.

[0066] like Figure 1The preferred configuration of the valves and other components of the system 100 shown allows the house to be heated very efficiently to the desired level via the central heating circuit 3, and also uses the heat generated by the heat generator 1 for preheating the heat storage medium 12 as a buffer. This not only allows the generated heat energy to be used in future heating operations, such as heating domestic hot water or defrosting, but also allows for more continuous operation of the heat generator and peripheral devices such as pumps, thereby further improving the efficiency of these devices and thus the entire system.

[0067] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a preferred system for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown.

[0068] For the sake of brevity, and Figure 1 The same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals, and the repeated description of these elements is avoided.

[0069] As Figure 1 In an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, in this second preferred embodiment, domestic hot water is supplied by means of an external domestic hot water heat exchanger 14 instead of... Figure 1 In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger coil 13 is heated. For this purpose, the heat storage medium 12 from the tank 11 is guided through an external domestic hot water heat exchanger 14, driven by a heat exchanger pump 10, and a drinking water cold inlet 8 and a drinking water hot outlet 9 are located at the external domestic hot water heat exchanger 14, so that the drinking water is heated in the domestic hot water heat exchanger 14 outside the tank 11. In this way, domestic hot water (e.g., drinking water) can be heated at different locations outside the tank 11, and the tank 11 can be made smaller because... Figure 1 The heat exchanger coil 13 shown no longer needs to be placed according to Figure 2 Inside box 11 in the second embodiment.

[0070] Figure 3 A third embodiment of a preferred system 100 for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown. Again, as for... Figure 2 , with the above Figure 1 or Figure 2 The same element shown is also Figure 3 The same reference numerals are used in the figures.

[0071] In contrast to the first and second embodiments, the tank 11 in the third embodiment is a pressurized tank 11, meaning that the heat storage medium 12 stored within the tank 11 is under pressure, such as the pressure of a tap water circuit. In this embodiment, the heat storage medium 12 is drinking water, and the device for heating the domestic hot water of the third embodiment is a drinking water cold inlet 8 and a drinking water hot outlet 9, through which the drinking water is guided through the tank 11 and heated within the tank 11. In this way, the loss of heat energy transferred from the heat storage medium 12 to the drinking water or other domestic hot water (losses present in the first and second embodiments, even though they can be configured to be relatively small) is further minimized by directly heating the domestic hot water within the tank 11.

[0072] Figure 4 A fourth embodiment of a preferred system 100 for generating domestic hot water and heat for central heating is shown.

[0073] This implementation method basically corresponds to the above. Figure 1 The first embodiment is shown. In addition to the first embodiment, the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment also includes an electric heater 15, which is located between the heat generator 1 and the first three-way valve 2 to directly heat the fluid in the circuit that circulates the electric heating fluid toward the central heating circuit 3 and / or through the first tap coil 7 or the second tap coil 6, thereby heating the heat storage medium 12 in the house and / or the box 11.

[0074] Alternatively, an electric immersion heater 16 is used to heat the heat storage medium 12 to indirectly heat domestic hot water or fluid flowing through the second tap coil 6 or the first tap coil 7 via the heat exchanger coil 13. Electric heaters 15 and 16 are designed to additionally provide heat to the system 100 if the heat generator 1 does not provide sufficient heat energy. This may be the case, for example, if the external temperature is particularly low, or in situations where there is a very high demand for heat that cannot be provided solely by the heat generator 1.

[0075] List of reference numerals

[0076] 1 heat generator

[0077] 1.1 Generator Output Port

[0078] 1.2 Generator Return Port

[0079] 2 First three-way valve

[0080] 3 Central heating circuit

[0081] 3.1 Heating supply port

[0082] 3.2 Heating return port

[0083] 4. Second three-way valve

[0084] 5. Third three-way valve

[0085] 6 Second branch pipe

[0086] 6.1 Second coil supply port

[0087] 6.2 Second coil return port

[0088] 7 First connecting coil

[0089] 7.1 First coil supply port

[0090] 7.2 First coil return port

[0091] 8. Cold drinking water intake

[0092] 9. Hot water outlet

[0093] 10 heat exchanger pumps

[0094] 11 boxes

[0095] 12 heat storage medium

[0096] 13 heat exchanger coils

[0097] 14 Household Hot Water Heat Exchangers

[0098] 15 Electric Heaters

[0099] 16 Electric Immersion Heater

[0100] 17 Thermometer

[0101] 18 pumps

[0102] 100 system

[0103] Reference List

[0104] Patent documents

[0105] [PTL1]EP 2629020 A2

[0106] [PTL2]JP 2004-294019A

Claims

1. A system (100) for generating heat for domestic hot water or central heating, said system (100) comprising: A heat generator (1) is used to obtain heat from a heat source, and the heat generator (1) has a generator outlet port (1.1) and a generator return port (1.2). The central heating circuit (3) has a heating supply port (3.1) and a heating return port (3.2). Box (11), the box (11) having a top and a bottom, the box (11) containing a heat storage medium (12); The first branch coil (7) is immersed in the heat storage medium (12) in the bottom of the box (11); The second branch pipe (6) is immersed in the heat storage medium (12) in the top of the box (11); as well as Devices for heating domestic hot water (8, 9, 13, 14); The heat generator (1), the second tap coil (6), the central heating circuit (3) and the first tap coil (7) are connected in series in a fluid connection so as to allow fluid to flow from the heat generator (1) back to the heat generator (1) via at least one of the second tap coil (6), the central heating circuit (3) and the first tap coil (7). The system (100) also includes: A first three-way valve (2) is fluidly connected to the generator outlet port (1.1), the second tap coil (6), and the heating supply port (3.1), and is configured to selectively allow the fluid to bypass or flow through the second tap coil (6). A second three-way valve (4), which is fluidly connected to the heating supply port (3.1) and the heating return port (3.2), is configured to selectively allow the fluid to bypass or flow through the central heating circuit (3); and A third three-way valve (5) is fluidly connected to the first tap coil (7) and the generator return port (1.2) and is configured to selectively allow the fluid to bypass or flow through the first tap coil (7).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1. in, The first three-way valve (2) is configured to selectively allow the fluid to partially bypass and partially flow through the second tap coil (6).

3. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The second tap coil (6) has a second coil supply port (6.1) and a second coil return port (6.2). The first three-way valve (2) is fluidly connected to the second coil supply port (6.1) and the generator outlet port (1.1), and is configured to at least partially and selectively block the second coil supply port (6.1) so that the fluid at least partially bypasses the second tap coil (6).

4. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The second three-way valve (4) is configured to selectively allow the fluid to partially bypass and partially flow through the central heating circuit (3).

5. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The third three-way valve (5) is configured to selectively allow the fluid to partially bypass and partially flow through the first tap coil (7).

6. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The first tap coil (7) has a first coil supply port (7.1) and a first coil return port (7.2). The third three-way valve (5) is fluidly connected to the first coil supply port (7.1) and the generator return port (1.2), and is configured to at least partially and selectively block the first coil supply port (7.1) so that the fluid at least partially bypasses the first tap coil (7).

7. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. The system (100) also includes a pump (18) configured to drive the fluid from the heat generator (1) back to the heat generator (1) via at least one of the second tap coil (6), the central heating circuit (3) and the first tap coil (7).

8. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. The system (100) also includes an electric heater (15) for heating the fluid. in, The electric heater (15) is configured to directly heat the fluid downstream of the heat generator outlet port (1.1) and upstream of the first three-way valve (2).

9. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. The system (100) also includes an electric immersion heater (16) that is immersed in the heat storage medium in the tank to heat the heat storage medium.

10. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The generator outlet port (1.1) is fluidly connected to the second tap coil (6) via the first three-way valve (2), and optionally fluidly connected to the heating supply port (3.1) via the second three-way valve (4). The second tap coil (6) is optionally fluidly connected to the heating supply port (3.1) via at least one of the first three-way valve (2) and the second three-way valve (4). The heating return port (3.2) is optionally fluidly connected to the first tap coil (7) via at least one of the second three-way valve (4) and the third three-way valve (5), and The first tap coil (7) is optionally fluidly connected to the generator return port (1.2) via the third three-way valve (5).

11. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The box (11) is non-pressurized. The system (100) also includes a heat exchanger (13, 14) as the device (8, 9, 13, 14) for heating domestic hot water, to transfer heat from the heat storage medium (12) to the domestic hot water.

12. The system (100) according to claim 11. in, The heat exchangers (13, 14) include heat exchanger coils (13) immersed in the heat storage medium (12) in the tank (11).

13. The system (100) according to claim 11. in, The heat exchangers (13, 14) include a domestic hot water heat exchanger (14) outside the box (11), which is fluidly connected to the box (11) to allow the heat storage medium (12) to flow through the domestic hot water heat exchanger (14).

14. The system (100) according to claim 13. in, The system (100) also includes a heat exchanger pump (10) configured to drive the heat storage medium (12) through the domestic hot water heat exchanger (14).

15. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The box (11) is pressurized. The tank (11) includes a domestic hot water inlet (8) and a domestic hot water outlet (9) as devices (8, 9, 13, 14) for heating domestic hot water, and The heat storage medium (12) is the domestic hot water.

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