Hybrid system for space heating and / or domestic water production and related management method

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a hybrid system (1) comprising at least a boiler (2) and a heat pump (3) through which a technical fluid for room heating and / or for the production of domestic water circulates and related method for managing and controlling the switching on and off cycles ON / OFF of said heat pump (3) during a withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water. Said method comprises at least the step of ensuring, during said withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water, the passage to the heat pump (3) of at least a flow rate mchHP which is adapted to avoid the switching off thereof and to ensure the full accomplishment of the same withdrawal DHW.

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention is a hybrid system for room heating and / or the production of domestic hot water defined by the combination of a boiler and of a heat pump and related management method.

[0002] More precisely, the object of the present invention is a highly efficient hybrid "boiler-heat pump" system, and related management methods adapted to significantly reduce the number of switching-off and switching-on cycles (ON / OFF cycles) of the heat pump due to withdrawals of domestic water produced by the boiler.

[0003] A further object of the present invention is a verification procedure that a withdrawal of domestic water, requested by a user, is fully deliverable and accomplished even with said heat pump of the hybrid "boiler-heat pump" system switched on.

[0004] The invention preferably falls within the sector of the "hybrid systems" for the room heating and / or for the production of domestic hot water, in particular in those systems comprising a gas boiler and a heat pump.

[0005] Currently, heating systems are known that simultaneously use at least two different heat generators, generally a heat pump and a gas boiler.

[0006] Said systems, beside being used for room heating, may also be arranged for the production of hot water for domestic use, in such case the boiler being of the "combined" type.

[0007] In such systems, hereinafter referred to as "hybrid systems", a hydraulic connection should therefore be created between said generators, while appropriate shared control logics allow for managing the switching on and off thereof, regulating the operating temperatures and heating times, checking the correct functionality and / or reporting malfunctions thereof, etc., all with the aim of achieving high efficiency levels. Examples of hybrid systems are shown in the prior art documents EP 2 700 883 B1 and / or EP 2 463 591 A1 and / or IT 10202100010979.

[0008] Boiler and heat pump of a hybrid system are generally hydraulically connected in two alternative ways: in series or in parallel.

[0009] In hybrid systems with connection in series, the technical fluid, for example water, intended to feed the heating bodies (radiators, radiant panels, etc.) for room heating, is first heated in the heat pump and then in the boiler.

[0010] More precisely, the refrigerant circuit (wherein a refrigerating fluid circulates) of the heat pump, for example of the air-water type, receives heat from the ambient air and cedes it to the technical fluid which, thus preheated, reaches the boiler where the heating thereof is completed by using the heat of the combustion products generated by an inner burner.

[0011] When the boiler of the system is set up also for the production of domestic hot water (hereinafter referred to as "Combi boiler"), a 3-way valve of the ON / OFF type enables the boiler to be switched, as needed, from "room heating mode" to "domestic". For example, in case of a domestic water withdrawal, the 3-way valve switches the boiler to domestic mode, interrupting the possible room heating in progress.

[0012] Such hybrid systems can share a same pump for the circulation of the technical fluid both in boiler and in heat pump.

[0013] Generally, a connection in series between the heat pump and the boiler, as well as the presence of a single shared circulation pump, represent a design and installation choice that allows the number of components in a hybrid system to be minimised, while still ensuring acceptable efficiencies and throughput. However, such scheme is still not very widespread in the current hybrid systems because the flow rates of technical fluid necessary to the two generators to accomplish the thermal requirement of a building (e.g. an apartment or a generic room / ambient) may be very different from each other and a single circulation pump may not guarantee the correct performances.

[0014] Furthermore, in cases in which the heat pump of the hybrid system is per se able to meet said thermal requirement, and therefore the integration thereof with the boiler would not be necessary, the technical fluid to be heated would continue to always pass within the same boiler, in particular through the exchanger of its primary circuit; this may lead to undesired losses and thermal dispersions and to a significant reduction in the overall efficiency of the hybrid system.

[0015] In case of application of a heat pump with Combi boilers, during a domestic withdrawal by a user, as anticipated, the 3-way valve will be switched from the primary circuit to the domestic circuit so as to enable the technical fluid to pass through the relative secondary exchanger (usually a plate exchanger).

[0016] In such case, since said 3-way valve is normally of the ON / OFF type, the flow rate of technical fluid intended to circulate in the primary circuit for the room heating is eliminated.

[0017] Typically, this would require the hybrid system heat pump to be turned off in order to avoid undesired overheatings due to the lack of circulation of technical fluid. In fact, since the domestic water withdrawals may be intermittent and repeated many times in a short period of time, besides being small, the switching off, and the subsequent switching on, of the heat pump (hereinafter referred to as "ON / OFF cycles") would be very close to each other and in an excessively high number. This may cause the hybrid system to operate inefficiently, exposing it, at the same time, to a greater risk of breakdowns and malfunctions, especially affecting the heat pump components. This problem arises, for example, in the hybrid system described in the document EP 3 252 383 A1, which includes at least one heat pump and one boiler.

[0018] The issue becomes even more relevant when the heat pump is chosen among those of low power (e.g. 2-7 kW), so as to create more compact and small hybrid systems, as its operation would always require the integration with the boiler.

[0019] The object of the present invention is to obviate such kind of drawbacks, by providing for an innovative hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of high efficiency domestic hot water, comprising at least a boiler and a heat pump hydraulically integrated with each other and electronically interfaced.

[0020] More precisely, the object of the present invention, at least for some of the executive variants thereof, is to provide for a hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of domestic hot water comprising at least a boiler, a heat pump and means adapted to reduce the number of ON / OFF cycles of the heat pump due to withdrawals of domestic hot water by a user U.

[0021] A further object of the present invention, at least for some of the executive variants thereof, is to provide for a hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of domestic hot water comprising at least a boiler and a heat pump, one or more management methods for controlling and optimising the ON / OFF cycles of said heat pump.

[0022] A further object of the present invention, at least for some of the executive variants thereof, is to provide for a hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of domestic hot water comprising at least a boiler and a heat pump, the possibility of ensuring room heating even during a withdrawal of domestic hot water.

[0023] A further object of the present invention, at least for some of the executive variants thereof, is to provide for at least one boiler and a heat pump in a hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of domestic water comprising at least a boiler and a heat pump, at least one procedure for verifying the full and complete delivery and accomplishment of a withdrawal of domestic hot water even with said heat pump switched on.

[0024] These and other objects, which shall appear clear hereinafter, are achieved with a hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of domestic water defined by the combination of a gas boiler and a heat pump, and related management and control method, in accordance with the provisions of the independent claims.

[0025] Other objects may also be achieved by means of the additional features of the dependent claims.

[0026] Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, according to the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawing tables, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a hybrid system comprising at least a boiler and a heat pump, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a hybrid system comprising at least a boiler and a heat pump, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, the block diagrams relating to different management and control methods of the hybrid system of the figures 1 and / or 2.

[0027] The features of one or more preferred variants of the hybrid system for room heating and / or for the production of domestic hot water, and the related management and control method, are now described, using the references contained in the figures.

[0028] Figure 1 and / or 2 show a hybrid system 1 according to the invention comprising a boiler 2 and a heat pump 3 for room heating and / or for the production of domestic water.

[0029] Without any limiting intent, said gas boiler 2 may consist, for example, of a condensing gas boiler, while the heat pump 3 may consist of an air-water heat pump of the monobloc type for outdoor installation.

[0030] By way of an example and without any limiting intent, in figures 1 and / or 2 attached to the present description, an "instantaneous" condensing boiler 2 is shown, although nothing prevents, with small adaptations within the reach of a man skilled in the art, from extending what will be said also to other known types of condensing boilers, for example of the integrated or external "storage" type.

[0031] Furthermore, what will be described hereinbelow may be extended to any other type of boiler, for example of the "conventional" type (i.e. with an atmospheric burner), or of a heat pump, which may be, for example, of the water-water type. Since said boiler 2 and said heat pump 3 are thermal generators substantially known to the man skilled in the art, here it will be sufficient to provide a summary thereof, citing only the components relevant to the object of the invention.

[0032] In particular, the primary circuit 200 and the secondary circuit 201 of said instantaneous boiler 2 wherein a technical fluid circulates, for example "technical water", are schematically shown, and comprising, respectively, a primary heat exchanger 20 (hereinafter "primary exchanger 20") for heating the technical fluid, and a secondary heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter "secondary exchanger 21" or "sanitary exchanger 21") wherein said technical fluid is in a heat exchange relation with the domestic water to be heated and sent to a user U. A gas valve (not shown in the figures) modulates the gas flow flowing via a gas supply duct 22 intended to feed a burner (also not explicitly shown) placed in the combustion chamber housing the primary exchanger 20, after mixing with the combustion air modulated by a fan (not shown).

[0033] The primary circuit 200 also comprises: a return duct 23 (also referred to as, for simplicity, "return 23") which leads the technical fluid coming, through appropriate pipes 51, from the heating bodies 50 of the heating system 5 towards the primary exchanger 20, where it is subjected to the hot combustion fumes produced by the aforementioned burner; the aforementioned primary exchanger 20 which, without any limiting intent, may consist of a coil exchanger; a circulation pump 25 preferably located on said return duct 23; a feeding duct 24 of the technical fluid (hereinafter referred to as "delivery duct 24" or simply "delivery 24"), which connected to the primary exchanger 20 allows the technical fluid, duly heated, to reach, via special pipes 52, the heating bodies 50 of the heating system 5.

[0034] The path of the technical fluid, just described, is more clearly indicated with the arrows F1 in figure 1 and / or 2 which show the operation of the boiler 2 in the "room heating" operating mode, hereinafter "CH mode".

[0035] The primary circuit 200 also comprises an inlet duct 26, derived from the delivery 24 thereof, which enables the technical fluid to flow towards the secondary exchanger 21, wherefrom it then exits by means of an outlet duct 27, connected to the return 23 of the same primary circuit 200.

[0036] When the technical fluid is diverted and forced to pass through the domestic exchanger 21 of the secondary circuit 201, through the mentioned inlet 26 and outlet 27 ducts, the boiler 2 operates in "domestic water heating" mode, hereinafter "DHW mode", as indicated by the arrows F2 in figure 1 and / or 2.

[0037] The secondary circuit 201 comprises at least: a cold water feeding duct 28 (mains water substantially at the aqueduct temperature), connected to an inlet of the secondary exchanger 21 where it is heated before being sent to a user U; the aforementioned secondary exchanger 21, which in the example of figure 3a, 3b is a known plate-type exchanger, a delivery duct 29 of the heated water in said secondary exchanger 21, connected to the user U.

[0038] As already partly anticipated, when said condensing boiler 2 is of the storage type (variant not shown), said secondary exchanger 21 may instead consist of a coil exchanger inserted, as known, inside a tank, wherein it is in a heat exchange relation with the domestic water, stored therein, and to which it is duly connected via an appropriate part and / or deviation of the secondary circuit. Naturally, nothing prevents, in accordance with further possible installation configurations, that said condensing boiler 2 may comprise both said plate exchanger 21 and said coil exchanger of a related possible storage.

[0039] Reference numeral 4, instead, indicates switching means of the hybrid system 1, in particular of its boiler 2, from the "CH operating mode" to the "DHW operating mode", or vice versa.

[0040] In DHW mode, the switching means 4, shared by the primary 200 and secondary 201 circuit 201 of the boiler 2, divert the technical fluid from the primary circuit 200 towards the secondary exchanger 21.

[0041] On the contrary, when in CH mode, the same switching means 4 direct the technical fluid from the primary circuit 200 towards the heating bodies 50 of the heating system 5, bypassing the secondary exchanger 21.

[0042] In accordance with a first executive embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 1, said switching means 4 may comprise a motorised diverter valve, for example a 3-way valve 40, the position whereof, i.e. the closing / opening of one of its two inputs, determines the operation of the boiler 2 according to the DHW or CH mode.

[0043] Unlike the ON / OFF solutions of the state of the art, said 3-way valve 40 consists, for example, of a modulating valve 40.

[0044] Figure 2 instead shows an alternative embodiment of said switching means 4, comprising a motorised 3-way valve 40' of the ON / OFF type cooperating with a bypass duct 41 equipped with at least one electronic regulation valve 42, also preferably motorised.

[0045] As clearly shown in figure 2, said bypass duct 41 is preferably parallel to the return duct 23 of the boiler 2, whereon the 3-way valve 40' of the ON / OFF type is located.

[0046] More precisely, of said bypass duct 41, an inlet branch 43 and an outlet branch 44 connected to the return duct 23 respectively upstream and downstream of the 3-way valve 40' is identified (referring to the water flow represented by the arrow F1, imparted by the circulation pump 25).

[0047] Such switching means 4 shall be extensively referred to during the present description; it may be therein anticipated that both variants of figure 1 or 2 are arranged to guarantee, under certain conditions, at least a minimum flow rate m minHP of water to the heat pump 3 of the hybrid system 1 even when the boiler 2 operates in DHW mode (i.e., as shall be seen, during a withdrawal DHW of domestic water by a user U, which is fully accomplished).

[0048] Said heat pump 3 of the hybrid system 1 of the invention, preferably adapted to room heating, comprises a refrigerant circuit 30 (only partially shown in figures 1-2) wherein a refrigerating fluid circulates (usually a refrigerant gas) suitable for exchanging heat with the technical fluid coming from the heating system 5.

[0049] As is known, said refrigerant circuit 30 may comprise at least: a compressor that compresses and raises the temperature of the refrigerating fluid, a first heat exchanger, operating as an evaporator, in which said refrigerating fluid evaporates by passing from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase and absorbing heat from an external source (in case of air-water heat pumps, as seen, from the ambient air), a second heat exchanger 31, generally operating as a condenser (e.g. when the heat pump operates in "heating" mode), in which the refrigerating fluid condenses, by passing from a gaseous to a liquid phase and in which the aforementioned heat exchange with the technical fluid returning from the heating system 5 takes place, a lamination valve which, as is known, determines the pressure drop necessary to maintain the pressure of the refrigerating fluid at the values desired by said condenser and evaporator.

[0050] In general, in the hybrid systems 1 with a series connection of the relative heat generators, the condenser 31 of the heat pump 3 is preferably placed in series and upstream (according to the direction of the flow identified by arrow F1) of the primary exchanger 20 of the boiler 2, in order to be able to exchange heat with the technical fluid at the lowest possible temperature and consequently promote the heat exchange with the refrigerating fluid.

[0051] A control unit (not shown in the figure) of the hybrid system 1 of the invention, hereinafter abbreviated to "control unit", enables to manage the operational and functional modes of the boiler 2 and / or of the relative heat pump 3, with which it can communicate bidirectionally according to the most appropriate technologies, for example via wired and / or wireless connections (of the radio type, such as WLAN and ZigBee, Bluetooth protocols, WiFi, or the like).

[0052] Without any limiting intent, said control unit can be integrated to the boiler 2 or, alternatively, to the heat pump 3.

[0053] However, for the purposes of the invention, nothing prevents providing dedicated control units on both generators of the hybrid system 1, provided that they are cooperating with each other and are appropriately interfaced, just as it is possible that all or some of the functions that may be implemented by said control unit may be managed by additional control units or performed on devices external to the hybrid system 1.

[0054] For simplicity of description, hereinafter, the description of the invention will assume that all the functions and processing capabilities reside in the control unit of the hybrid system 1 (for example, in boiler 2).

[0055] Furthermore, "control unit" shall also mean the entire set of data processing elements, united or distributed in multiple subsets, which are necessary to implement the methods of the invention for the management and control of the hybrid system 1, in particular to control and optimise the ON / OFF cycles of the relative heat pump 3, ensuring the full and complete accomplishment of a withdrawal of domestic water by a user U, which we shall return to shortly.

[0056] Such control unit is therefore advantageously provided and / or cooperating with: means of acquisition and / or reception of input data for the operation of the hybrid system 1 and / or for the execution of the management and control methods thereof according to the invention, means for calculating and processing said input data, adapted to provide output data and / or information, memory means for storing, at least temporarily, said input and / or output data, means for transmitting said output data and / or information to a display and / or notification interface, said interface being able to consist of a known HMI interface integrated in the hybrid system and / or in the aforementioned possible devices external to the same hybrid system.

[0057] More precisely, said control unit is suitable for cooperating at least with said switching means 4 of the hybrid system 1 and at least with one or more temperature sensors appropriately positioned therein (which shall be listed shortly).

[0058] When provided for by one or more executive embodiments of the invention, said control unit will possibly cooperate also with specific flow rate sensors of the technical fluid circulating in the hybrid system 1 and / or of the domestic water requested by the user U.

[0059] As already partly anticipated, according to the invention, it is desired that when the boiler 2 of the hybrid system 1 operates in DHW mode, or when a domestic hot water withdrawal is in progress (hereinafter referred to as "withdrawal DHW" for simplicity) by a user U, the passage of a flow rate of the technical fluid m chHP through the heat pump 3, i.e., along the heating system 5, is always guaranteed, said flow rate m chHP being preferably at least the "minimum" flow rate m minHP adapted to: avoid the switching off of the heat pump 3, consequently reducing the number of switching on and off cycles (ON / OFF cycles) of the same, and / or guarantee the continuity of operation of the heating system 5 even during one or more withdrawals DHW of domestic water, although with the contribution limited to the heat pump 3 alone.

[0060] Furthermore, in accordance with a possible variant of the invention, which is among the preferred ones, under these conditions, it is desired that specific operating conditions of the hybrid system 1 are verified, which shall be referred to hereinafter.

[0061] In particular, it is preferably desired to verify that the withdrawal DHW of domestic water does not require, for a long time, the full power of the boiler 2 to be completely accomplished ("Comfort Verification DHV"); in other words, it is desired to ascertain that said withdrawal is fully deliverable and accomplished even with the heat pump 3 switched on, and even at its minimum flow rate m minHP , so as to prevent any discomfort or inconvenience to the user.

[0062] For such purpose, it is necessary to know one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system 1, more precisely of its boiler 2 and / or of the heat pump 3, for example, at least one, preferably two or more, among the following operating quantities: the total flow rate m totWHB of the technical fluid in boiler 2, for example circulating through its primary exchanger 20, and / or the flow rate m DHW of each withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water carried out by a user U, and / or the flow rate m chHP of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump 3, for example that returning from the heating system 5, and / or the temperature T DHW of the domestic hot water exiting the boiler 2 in case of a withdrawal DHW and directed towards a user U, and / or the return temperature T retWHB in boiler 2 of the technical fluid that passed through the heat pump 3, and / or the delivery temperature T flowWHB of the boiler 2 (i.e. the temperature of the technical fluid for room heating), and / or the return temperature T retHP of the technical fluid entering the heat pump 3 after circulating in the room heating system 5.

[0063] Said temperature and / or flow rate values may be: monitored and detected directly by means of specific sensors, e.g., respectively by means of temperature sensors or flow meters (or similar / equivalent flow rate sensors), with which the hybrid system 1 of the invention is normally equipped or in which they may be appropriately implemented, when necessary, and / or, at least some of them, indirectly calculated by the control unit of the hybrid system 1; this with particular and specific reference to the values of the flow rates in boiler 2 and / or, preferably, in heat pump 3 which can therefore be processed and derived from other physical and / or operational quantities characteristic of the hybrid system 1, for example, without any limiting intent, as a function of the thermal power exchanged at the secondary exchanger 21, or of the thermal load required by a withdrawal of domestic water from the user U.

[0064] In light of all of the above, it is possible to provide for, by way of a non-limiting example, one or more temperature sensors, preferably two or more, chosen from at least: a first temperature sensor 60 for the detection of said temperature T DHW of the withdrawal DHW, preferably placed on the delivery duct 29 of the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, and / or a second temperature sensor 61 for the detection of said first return temperature T retWHB , preferably placed on the return duct 23 of the primary circuit 200 of the boiler 2, for example downstream or upstream of the circulation pump 25, and / or a third temperature sensor 62 for detecting said second return temperature T retHP , preferably placed in the proximity or at the inlet of the heat pump 3, for example on the pipe 51 of the heating system 5, and / or a fourth temperature sensor 63 for the detection of said delivery temperature T flowWHB , preferably positioned on the outlet of the primary exchanger 20 of the boiler 2.

[0065] When the direct detection of the flow rates circulating in boiler 2 and / or in heat pump 3 is provided (see figures 1 and / or 2), the hybrid system 1 of the invention may further comprise one or more flow rate sensors, preferably two or more, chosen from at least: a first flow rate sensor 70 for detecting said total flow rate m totWHB , preferably placed on the return duct 23 of the primary circuit 200 of the boiler 2, for example downstream or upstream of the circulation pump 25, and / or a second flow rate sensor 71 for detecting said flow rate m DHW , preferably placed in substantial proximity, for example at the inlet or outlet, of the domestic exchanger 21, for example at the relevant feeding 28 or delivery 29 duct, and / or a third flow rate sensor 72 for detecting said flow rate m chHP in heat pump 3, preferably placed in substantial proximity or at the inlet to the heat pump 3, for example on the pipe 51 of the heating system 5.

[0066] It is reiterated that said temperature 60, 61, 62, 63 and / or flow rate 70, 71, 72 sensors when provided, are connected and cooperating, in a known manner, with the control unit of the hybrid system 1.

[0067] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, as already anticipated, the presence of one or more of the flow rate sensors 70, 71, 72 can be omitted, if the flow rates that they would be able to detect, are instead calculated indirectly by the control unit of the hybrid system 1 as a function of other physical quantities and / or operating parameters thereof.

[0068] Having described the hybrid system 1 in its main components and defined, at least partly, the purposes to be achieved with the same, a method of management and control of the switching on and off cycles (ON / OFF cycles) of said heat pump 3, in accordance with the different and alternative construction variants, briefly illustrated by the flow diagrams of figures 3a-3b shall now be described. For simplicity, hereinafter, the "management and control method of the ON / OFF cycles of the heat pump of the hybrid system" shall be briefly referred to as "management method of the hybrid system".

[0069] In general terms, substantially valid for each of the embodiments of the invention, said management method of the hybrid system 1 comprises, in presence of at least one withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water in progress, at least one: step a) with which it is ensured that, during said at least one withdrawal DHW, at least a minimum flow rate m minHP of technical fluid (e.g. comprised between 200 - 700 l / h) is guaranteed in heat pump 3 so as to: avoid the switching off thereof, consequently reducing the number of switching on and off cycles (ON / OFF cycles) of the same, and / or guarantee the continuity of operation of the hybrid system 1 in CH mode, which may therefore continue to "power" a heating system 5, although in a more limited form.

[0070] Preferably, at least for some of its embodiments, said management method of the hybrid system 1 may also provide for, downstream and / or in combination with the aforementioned step a), further control procedures, aimed at verifying that certain operating conditions for the hybrid system 1 are accomplished.

[0071] More specifically, according to the invention it is possible to provide for, as already mentioned, a step b of verification that the withdrawal of domestic water, requested by the user U, is fully deliverable and accomplished even when the heat pump 3 is switched on, although at the minimum flow rate m minHP , said step "b" being referred to as "Comfort Verification DHW'.

[0072] The various steps and operations that define the main (step a) and the accessory steps, although preferred and desired, (step b), of the management method of the hybrid system 1 of the invention are now described in more detail.Step a) - Verification of a minimum flow rate m minHP in heat pump 3

[0073] In presence of a withdrawal DHW, the control unit of the hybrid system 1 proceeds to set the switching means 4 of the boiler 2, i.e. the 3-way modulating valve 40 of the embodiment variant of figure 1 or the electronic regulation valve 42 on the bypass duct 41 of the variant of figure 2, in a position such as to ensure a flow of technical fluid both through the secondary heat exchanger 21 of the boiler 2 for the delivery and accomplishment, at least in terms of temperature, of the withdrawal DHW requested by the user U, both through the heat pump 3, which therefore remains switched on to ensure the aforementioned continuity of the room heating, although in a more limited form.

[0074] More precisely, when a withdrawal DHW is in progress, said switching means 4 move to a position, hereinafter referred to as "intermediate position", in which they are in fluid communication with both the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2 and with the relative primary circuit 200, consequently ensuring a flow rate m chHP in heat pump 3 at least equal to or greater than a minimum reference flow rate m minHP , and, at the same time, the full and complete accomplishment of the same withdrawal DHW.

[0075] According to the different variants of the invention, said intermediate position, during which the hybrid system 1 operates both in CH and in DHW mode, may be: a preset position, i.e. defined by design, or reached by regulating the opening degree of said switching means 4 towards said secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2 and / or said primary circuit 200, and therefore towards the heat pump 3.

[0076] While the preset position of the switching means 4 is the one that ensures, in accordance with the configuration defined by design, that the flow rate of technical fluid circulating in heat pump 3 always accomplishes at least the minimum flow rate m minHP to guarantee continuity of operation also in presence of a withdrawal DHW and, at the same time, that said DHW withdrawal is fully accomplished, the one reached by regulating the switching means 4 requires, for the same purpose, a verification procedure, illustrated below.

[0077] Without any limiting intent, in accordance with a first possible executive variant (figure 3a), which is among the preferred ones, said assessment procedure, for example, implemented by the control unit of the hybrid system 1, provides for: calculating the thermal load Q DHW of the withdrawal DHW requested by the user U, said thermal load being defined by the well-known formula: Q DHW = m DHW * c p * ΔT dhw kW where: ΔT dhw = T DHW - T IN.DHW , wherein: o T DHW = the temperature detected by said first temperature sensor 60 placed on the delivery duct 29 of the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, o T IN.DHW = the temperature of the mains water entering the secondary exchanger 21, said temperature being a fixed predefined value (e.g. equal to 10 °C, with reference to a winter period during which, as a rule, both the room heating and production of domestic water are required) or, alternatively, a value measured from time to time by means of a specific temperature sensor (not shown), ΔT dhw being substantially comprised between 30°C and 50°C; m DHW is the flow rate of the domestic hot water detected by the first flow rate sensor 71 located at the inlet or outlet of the secondary exchanger 21 of the boiler 2, said flow rate m DHW being generally comprised between 120 - 1200 l / h; c p (equal to 4,168 J / kg K) is the specific heat of the water from the withdrawal DHW; comparing said calculated thermal load Q DHW with threshold values [x 1 , x 2 , with x1 < x2] appropriately chosen (e.g. experimentally and / or as a fuction of one or more plate / nominal data of the hybrid system 1) to discern whether said domestic withdrawal DHW is accomplished while dedicating a part of the technical fluid flow rate (equal to said m chHP ) to the operation of the heat pump 3, such part m chHP of flow rate being equal to or greater than a minimum flow rate m minHP sufficient to avoid the switching off of said heat pump 3.

[0078] More precisely, first of all, said thermal load Q DHW is compared with a first threshold value x 1 , in particular, it is checked whether Q DHW ≥ x 1 , and: if this condition is not verified, i.e. if Q DHW < x 1 , then the switching means 4 (e.g. the modulating 3-way valve 40 or the electronic regulation valve 42 of the bypass 41) are brought / found in said "intermediate position" and at least a minimum flow rate m minHP of technical fluid is guaranteed through the heat pump 3 such that m chHP > m minHP [l / h], said heat pump 3 therefore remaining switched on during the withdrawal DHW and said withdrawal DHW fully accomplished; otherwise, if such condition is verified (i.e. Q DHW ≥ x 1 ), then the thermal load Q DHW is compared with a second threshold value x 2 and if: o Q DHW ≤ x 2 , then the switching means 4 are brought / found in said "intermediate position" and at least a minimum flow rate m minHP of technical fluid is guaranteed in heat pump 3 such that m chHP = m minHP and the withdrawal DHW is in any case fully accomplished, o Q DHW > x 2 , then the switching means 4 are brought into fluid communication with only the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, effectively excluding the primary circuit 200 and the heat pump 3, which therefore switches off, as it is no longer possible to guarantee said minimum flow rate m minHP of technical fluid through the same (i.e.: m chHP < m minHP ).

[0079] In other words, the heat pump 3 remains switched on when, during a withdrawal DHW, the relative thermal load Q DHW measured is less than x 2 (Q DHW ≤ x 2 ) which defines a maximum load threshold.

[0080] Without any limiting intent, said threshold values x 1 and x 2 may be defined and chosen based on the nominal thermal power of the boiler 2 (which is a known nameplate data); in such case, for example: x 1 may be defined as 75% - 85%, preferably 80%, of the nominal thermal power (kW) of the boiler 2, x 2 may be defined as 93% - 97%, preferably 95%, of the nominal thermal power (kW) of the boiler 2.

[0081] It should also be noted, as already partially anticipated, that the determination of the flow rate m chHP to be compared with the minimum one m minHP , may be: measured directly by the aforementioned third flow rate sensor 72 placed, preferably, at the inlet of the heat pump 3, or alternatively, in absence of said sensor 72, calculated by the control unit of the hybrid system 1 via appropriate mathematical processings and on the basis of other operating parameters of the hybrid system 1 of the invention, known and / or acquirable through dedicated sensors.

[0082] In such second case, by way of an example, the flow rate m chHP of technical fluid in heat pump 3 may be determined indirectly since the mathematical relation is known: m chHP = m totWHB − m dhwWHB l / h where: m totWHB is, as seen, the total flow rate of technical fluid circulating through the primary exchanger 20 of the boiler 2, which is known as it is directly measured by the aforementioned first flow rate sensor 70, m dhwWHB is the flow rate of domestic water through the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, that may be calculated from the thermal balance at the secondary exchanger 21 with the formula: m dhwWHB * ΔT dhwWHB = m DHW * ΔT dhw wherefrom: m dhwWHB = m DHW * ΔT dhw / ΔT dhwWHB there being known: ∘ ΔT dhwWHB = T flowWHB - T retWHB , where, as seen, T flowWHB and T retWHB are known, as detectable by the respective sensors 63, 61 for the delivery and return temperature of the technical fluid in boiler 2, o m DHW , i.e. the flow rate of the withdrawal DHW measurable by the aforementioned second flow rate sensor 71, ∘ ΔT dhw = T DHW - T IN.DHW , where, as already said, T DHW represents the temperature of the withdrawal DHW detected by the first temperature sensor 60 of the hybrid system 1 and T IN.DHW a temperature value of the mains water predefined or measurable via an appropriately dedicated sensor.

[0083] In accordance with a second executive embodiment of the method for managing the hybrid system 1 of the invention (figure 3b), as already mentioned, in presence of a withdrawal DHW, the switching means 4 can move directly to a predetermined position, e.g. identified in the design step, which is the one that ensures a flow rate m chHP of technical fluid in heat pump 3 at least equal to, or greater than, the minimum m minHP that prevents it from turning off.

[0084] In this embodiment, which therefore represents a "simplified" embodiment of the method of the invention, the steps for calculating the thermal load Q DHW of the withdrawal DHW requested by the user U and the subsequent comparison thereof with the threshold values x 1 , x 2 , as just described above (with reference to the executive variant of the method of figure 3a), are therefore not necessary. Such simplified embodiment, besides to in the instantaneous condensing boilers, may also be specifically used in the storage ones.

[0085] Finally, it should be again noted that when heat pump 3 remains switched on during a domestic withdrawal DHW in boiler 2, it is preferably required that the control unit of the hybrid system 1 activates the Comfort Verification DHW, which will now be described in detail.

[0086] It is also specified that nothing prevents the extension of said Comfort Verification DHW also to said storage condensing boilers so as to ensure the best performances for the hybrid system 1 of the invention, although such verification is not strictly necessary given the possibility of "preparing" and heating the domestic water stored inside a tank thereof in advance and in the most appropriate ways.Step b) Comfort Verification DHW

[0087] As anticipated, the Comfort Verification DHW is a control procedure that can be performed when the heat pump 3 remains switched on even in presence of a withdrawal DHW by an user U (step a).

[0088] In fact, with the Comfort Verification DHW procedure it is desired to verify that, in presence of such operating conditions of the hybrid system 1 (boiler 2 operating in domestic mode DHW, heat pump 3 switched on and related switching means 4 in "intermediate position"), the withdrawal DHW requested by the user U is always fully accomplished, for example by ensuring that at least a temperature substantially equal to that of setpoint T setDHW of boiler 2 is substantially ensured

[0089] If such verification has a positive outcome (i.e. the withdrawal DHW can be accomplished), the heat pump 3 can continue to operate even during a withdrawal DHW, the system 5 serving for the room heating, although in a more limited form (i.e. at a substantially minimum power).

[0090] On the contrary, if the verification has a negative outcome (i.e. there is a risk of not guaranteeing the setpoint temperature T setDHW of the withdrawal DHW) then the heat pump 3 is definitively switched off and the hybrid system 1 of the invention will continue to operate exclusively in domestic mode DHW.

[0091] As reported in figures 3a and 3b, said Comfort Verification DHW may preferably be carried out as a function of the temperatures of the domestic water and / or of the technical fluid circulating in the hybrid system 1 of the invention, measured in different points of the same and be based, for example, on their comparison with specific threshold values; in accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention, said temperatures may preferably consist of the aforementioned temperatures T DHW of the domestic hot water exiting from the boiler 2 and / or T retWHB of the technical fluid returning to the same boiler 2.

[0092] Naturally, nothing prevents the possibility of providing equivalent or similar methods, for example based on the variation rate / speed over time of said temperatures T DHW and / or T retWHB (derivative in the time interval). According to the possible executive embodiments of figure 3a or 3b, the Comfort Verification DHW control is carried out on withdrawals DHW having a duration t 1 ≥ t o , where t 0 is a time appropriately chosen to exclude small withdrawals from such verification procedure, i.e. those of short duration, for example in the order of 3s - 25s.

[0093] Therefore: if t 1 ≥ t o , then the Comfort Verification DHW control is activated to detect: the said temperature T retWHB measurable by the aforementioned second temperature sensor 61 placed on the return duct 23 of the primary circuit 200 of the boiler 2 (executive variant of figure 3b), or, indifferently / alternatively, the said temperature T WHB of the withdrawal measurable by the aforementioned first temperature sensor 60 placed on the return duct 29 of the secondary circuit 201 (executive embodiment of figure 3a), said temperatures T retWHB and T DHW being in fact with good precision approximable and / or comparable to each other to less than one factor K i , otherwise if t 1 < t o (i.e. there is a small withdrawal of short duration) then the switching means 4 of the hybrid system 1 remain in the position that ensures the minimum flow rate m minHP in heat pump 3, which can therefore remain switched on until the hybrid system 1 switches to CH mode because said small withdrawal has ended.

[0094] Having verified that t 1 ≥ t o , the Comfort Verification DHW procedure may provide for at least one comparison step between said withdrawal T DHW or return T retWHB temperature and a first threshold value T setDHW1 , and possibly a second threshold value T setDHW2 , of the setpoint temperature T setDHW necessary for the withdrawal DHW to be accomplished, where: T setDHW can be fixed and comprised between 40°C and 60°C, preferably equal to 50°C; T setDHW 1 = T setDHW − 1 ; T setDHW 2 = T setDHW − 5 .

[0095] More specifically: if T DHW ≥ T setDHW1 or T retWHB ≥ T setDHW1 , then the withdrawal DHW is fully accomplished and the heat pump (3) of the hybrid system may remain switched on (switching means 4 in an "intermediate position"), otherwise, if T DHW < T setDHW1 or T retWHB < T setDHW1 , a routine R is activated adapted to check whether the temperature of the withdrawal DHW is rising, approaching at least a temperature that ensures and accomplishes the withdrawal DHW, for example, approaching the desired setpoint temperature T setDHW .

[0096] During this routine R, the heat pump 3 continues to remain switched on at least at its minimum flow rate m minHP and the temperatures T DHW or T retWHB are compared with said second threshold value T setDHW2 ; in particular, a timer is activated to check whether, after a time t 2 ≥ t 0 / 2, the condition T DHW ≥ T setDHW2 or T retWHB ≥ T setDHW2 is verified or not, and: if that is not verified (i.e. if T DHW < T setDHW2 or T retWHB < T setDHW2 ) then the heat pump 3 switches off and the switching means 4 switch the hybrid system 1 to DHW mode so as to guarantee the withdrawal to the user U, which otherwise would not be fully accomplished, otherwise if that is verified (i.e. if T DHW ≥ T setDHW2 or T retWHB ≥ T setDHW2 ), the heat pump 3 remains switched on, the switching means 4 of the relative system remain in an "intermediate position" between the CH and the DHW mode and the comparison of the temperatures T DHW or T retWHB with the threshold value T setDHW1 and the subsequent relative steps is repeated.

[0097] In other words, it is clear that said routine R repeats the control and the comparison between the withdrawal T DHW , the return temperature T retWHB and the relative upper T setDHW1 and lower T setDHW2 thresholds as long as one of the following alternative conditions is verified: T DHW ≥ T setDHW1 or T retWHB ≥ T setDHW1 , a condition at which the temperature of the withdrawal DHW is already sufficiently high (i.e. substantially equal to the setpoint temperature T setDHW ) to fully accomplish the request of the user U, or T DHW < T setDHW2 or T retWHB < T setDHW2 , a condition at which the temperature of the withdrawal DHW has progressively reduced to a value insufficient to accomplish the request of the user U (in such case, as already mentioned, the switching off of the heat pump 3 of the hybrid system 1 is necessary which will therefore operate in CH mode only).

[0098] Although already sufficiently clear and deducible from what has been described so far, it should finally be specified that both the Comfort Verification DHW and the entire management method of the hybrid system 1 of the invention interrupt as soon as a withdrawal DHW of domestic water ceases, with the relative aforementioned switching means 4 normally positioning themselves in CH mode, at least until a subsequent withdrawal of domestic hot water by a user U. It is clear that with the hybrid system 1 of the invention and the related management method the stated objects are achieved, in particular, that of providing for a hybrid system 1 the heat pump 3 thereof is able to operate the room heating even during a withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water produced by the boiler 2.

[0099] More precisely, the management method of the hybrid system 1 of the invention enables to significantly reduce the number of switching on / off cycles of the heat pump 3 due to the withdrawals DHW of domestic hot water, preserving the duration and efficiency thereof, and ensuring, at the same time, continuity in the room heating, although to a reduced extent, and the full and complete accomplishment and delivery of the domestic hot water withdrawal.

[0100] Finally, with the method of the invention, and related hybrid system 1 suitable for implementing it, the advantage is that in known situations of a partialised (or almost completely closed) heating system 5 the switching means 4, described above, for example the 3-way valve 40 of figure 1, would function as a controlled bypass, and this would enable the minimum flow rates to the heat pump 3 to be controlled and to switch it off in advance in cases where the thermal load (and the flow rate required by the system 5) was so low as to require the switching off of both generators, i.e. also of the boiler 2.

[0101] It is finally clear that several variants of the hybrid system 1, according to the invention and / or of the relative management method are possible to the man skilled in the art, without departing from the novelty scopes of the inventive idea, as well as it is clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention the various components of said hybrid system 1, described above, may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. Management method of a hybrid system (1), through which a technical fluid for room heating and / or for the production of domestic water circulates, said hybrid system (1) comprising at least: - one boiler (2) and one heat pump (3), hydraulically connected to each other and electronically interfaced, - switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) suitable for switching said hybrid system (1) between a "room heating" operating mode CH, when said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) are at least in fluid communication with a primary circuit (200) of the boiler (2) and with the heat pump (3), and a "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode, when said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) are at least in fluid communication with a secondary circuit (201) of the same boiler (2), or vice versa, - at least one circulation pump (25) for said technical fluid, - acquisition means (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), - one control unit suitable for communicating and cooperating with at least said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) and / or with said acquisition means (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), said management method of a hybrid system (1) enabling at least to control the switching on and off cycles ON / OFF of said heat pump (3) during a withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water, characterised in that it comprises at least the step of ensuring, during said withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water, the passage through the heat pump (3) of at least one flow rate mchHP of said technical fluid equal to or greater than a reference minimum flow rate mminHP, which is that adapted to: - avoid the switching off of said heat pump (3), consequently reducing the number of the switching on and off cycles thereof, and - guarantee the operation continuity of the hybrid system (1) in heating mode CH even during said withdrawal DHW, during said step, said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) being in an intermediate position between said "room heating" operating mode CH and said "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode.

2. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate position of said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is predetermined, i.e. defined by design.

3. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate position of said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is reached by regulating the opening degree thereof towards said primary (200) and / or secondary (201) circuit of said boiler (2).

4. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to claim 1 and / or 3, characterised in that it comprises the step of calculating the thermal load QDHW of said withdrawal DHW and comparing it with at least one threshold value x1, x2, and: - if QDHW < x1, then said withdrawal DHW is met while dedicating the technical fluid flow rate mchHP to said heat pump (3) such that mchHP > mminHP, and the heat pump (3) remains switched on even during said withdrawal DHW, said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) being in said intermediate position, otherwise - if QDHW ≥ x1, then said thermal load QDHW is compared with a second threshold value x2 and: • if QDHW ≤ x2, i.e. if x1 ≤ QDHW ≤ x2, then said withdrawal DHW is met while dedicating the flow rate mchHP of said technical fluid to said heat pump (3) such that mchHP = mminHP, and the heat pump (3) remains switched on even during said withdrawal DHW, said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) being in said intermediate position, otherwise, • if QDHW > x2 the heat pump (3) switches off and said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) bring the hybrid system (1) into operating mode DHW.

5. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to any previous claim, characterised in that said flow rate mchHP of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump (3) is directly measured by a flow rate sensor (72), preferably placed at the inlet of said heat pump (3).

6. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to any previous claim excluding Claim 5, characterised in that said flow rate mchHP of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump (3) is calculated by said control unit of the hybrid system (1) via mathematical calculations and on the basis of other operating parameters of said hybrid system (1) known and / or acquired via dedicated sensors.

7. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said flow rate mchHP of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump (3) is calculated as mchHP = mtotWHB - mdhwWHB, where: - mtotWHB is the total flow rate of technical fluid circulating in the primary exchanger (20) of the boiler (2) which is known as it may be measured directly by a first flow rate sensor (70) preferably placed on said primary circuit (200) of the boiler (2), - mdhwWHB is the flow rate of technical fluid through said secondary circuit (201) of the boiler (2) that may be calculated from the thermal balance at the relative secondary exchanger (21) with the formula: m dhwWHB * ΔT dhwWHB = m dhw * ΔT dhw .

8. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to any claim 1 to 7, characterised in that it provides for a "Comfort Verification DHW' step to verify that said withdrawal DHW is fully deliverable and met even when said heat pump (3) is switched on, albeit at the minimum flow rate mminHP thereof, based on the outcome of said verification, said heat pump (3) being able to remain switched on for the room heating or, on the contrary, having to switch off.

9. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said "Comfort Verification DHW" is a function of the temperature TDHW of said withdrawal DHW and / or of the return temperature TretWHB of the technical fluid to the boiler (2).

10. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said "Comfort Verification DHW' is carried out for withdrawals DHW having a duration t1 ≥ t0 where to is appropriately chosen to exclude the small withdrawals of short duration from such verification, in which: - if t1 < to, there is a small withdrawal and the aforementioned switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) of the hybrid system (1) remain in said intermediate position which ensures the minimum flow rate mminHP in the heat pump (3), which therefore remains switched on, otherwise - if t1 ≥ to, then there is found: • said return temperature TretWHB in the boiler (2), or • said withdrawal DHW temperature TDHW, said temperatures TretWHB and TDHW being approximable and / or comparable to each other to less than a factor Ki, said temperature TDHW or TretWHB being compared with at least one first threshold value TsetDHW1, in which: - if TDHW ≥ TsetDHW1 or TretWHB ≥ TsetDHW1, then said withdrawal DHW is fully met and the heat pump (3) may remain switched on, otherwise, - if TDHW < TsetDHW1 or TretWHB < TsetDHW1 a routine R activates adapted to verify if, after a time t2 ≥ to / 2, said temperatures TDHW or TretWHB are rising.

11. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that during said routine R: - the heat pump (3) remains switched on, - said withdrawal DHW or return TretWHB temperature TDHW is compared with a second threshold value TsetDHW2, with TsetDHW2 < TsetDHW1, and • if the condition TDHW ≥ TsetDHW2 or TretWHB ≥ TsetDHW2 is verified, then the heat pump (3) remains switched on, and the aforementioned comparison between said temperatures TDHW or TretWHB with the aforementioned first threshold value TsetDHW1 and the subsequent related steps are repeated, otherwise, • if the condition TDHW ≥ TsetDHW2 o TretWHB ≥ TsetDHW2 is not verified, then the heat pump (3) switches off and said hybrid system (1) operates in DHW mode only.

12. Management method of a hybrid system (1) according to any previous claim 8 to 11, characterised in that said "Comfort Verification DHW" is stopped when said withdrawal DHW and the aforementioned switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) of the hybrid system (1) return to CH mode only.

13. Hybrid system (1) for room heating and / or the production of domestic hot water comprising at least: - a boiler (2) for room heating and / or for the production of domestic water comprising a primary circuit (200) and a secondary circuit (201) in which a technical fluid circulates, said primary (200) and secondary (201) circuit respectively comprising a primary exchanger (20) for the heating of the technical fluid, and at least a secondary exchanger (21) in which said technical fluid is in a heat exchange relation with the domestic water to be heated, - a heat pump (3), preferably for room heating, comprising a refrigeration circuit (30) and hydraulically connected and electronically interfaced to said boiler (2), - switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) shared by said primary (200) and secondary (201) circuits and suitable for switching said hybrid system (1) between a "room heating" operating mode CH, when they are in fluid communication with said primary circuit (200) of the boiler (2) and with the relative heat pump (3), and a "domestic water" operating mode DHW, when they are in fluid communication with said secondary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), or vice versa, - at least one circulation pump (25) for said technical fluid, - acquisition means (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), - a control unit suitable for communicating and cooperating with at least said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) and / or with said acquisition means (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), characterised in that it implements the management method according to claims 1 to 12, said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) being of the type able to: - ensure the passage through the heat pump (3) of a technical fluid flow rate mchHP equal to or greater than a reference minimum flow rate mminHP also during a withdrawal DHW of domestic water by a user U, said minimum flow rate mminHP being that adapted to: - avoid the switching off of said heat pump (3), and - guarantee the operation continuity of the hybrid system (1) in heating mode CH also during said withdrawal (DHW), - move to an intermediate position between said "room heating" operating mode CH and said "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode.

14. Hybrid system (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) comprise a modulating 3-way valve (40).

15. Hybrid system (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that said switching means (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) comprise a 3-way valve (40') of the ON / OFF type cooperating with a bypass duct (41) provided with at least one electronic regulation valve (42), said bypass duct (41) being preferably in parallel to the return duct (23) of said primary circuit (200) of the boiler (2).

16. Hybrid system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims 13 to 15, characterised in that said acquisition means (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system (1) may comprise one or more temperature sensors (60, 61, 62, 63), preferably at least two, chosen from at least: - a first temperature sensor (60) for detecting a temperature TDHW of the said withdrawal DHW of domestic hot water, and / or - a second temperature sensor (61) for detecting a return temperature TretWHB of the technical fluid in the boiler (2) which passed through the heat pump (3), and / or - a third temperature sensor (62) for detecting a return temperature TretHP of the technical fluid that enters the heat pump (3) after circulating in a room heating system (5), and / or - a fourth temperature sensor (63) for detecting a delivery temperature TflowWHB of the technical fluid in the boiler (2).

17. Hybrid system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that: - said first temperature sensor (60) is placed on the delivery duct (29) of said secondary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), - said second temperature sensor (61) is placed on the return duct (23) of said primary circuit (200) of the boiler (2), - said third temperature sensor (62) is placed in proximity or at the inlet of the heat pump (3), - said fourth temperature sensor (63) is preferably positioned at the outlet of the primary exchanger (20) of said boiler (2).

18. Hybrid system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims 13 to 17, characterised in that said acquisition means (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system (1) may comprise one or more flow sensors (70, 71, 72), preferably two or more, chosen from at least: - a first flow rate sensor (70) for detecting a total flow rate mtotWHB of the technical fluid in the boiler (2), for example circulating in the primary exchanger (20) of the primary circuit (200), thereof, and / or - a second flow rate sensor (71) for detecting a flow rate mDHW of the said withdrawal DHW of domestic water, and / or - a third flow rate sensor (72) for detecting a flow rate mchHP of the technical fluid in the heat pump (3).

19. Hybrid system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that - said first flow rate sensor (70) is placed on the return duct (23) of said primary circuit (200) of the boiler (2), upstream or downstream of the said circulation pump (25), - said second flow rate sensor (71) is placed in substantial proximity of the secondary exchanger (21) of said secondary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), at the relative supply (28) or delivery (29) duct, - said third flow rate sensor (72) is placed in substantial proximity or at the inlet of the heat pump (3).

20. Hybrid system (1) according to any previous claim from 13 onwards, characterised in that: - said boiler (2) is a gas boiler of the instantaneous condensation or storage type, - said heat pump (3) is an air-water heat pump of the monobloc type, said boiler (2) and said heat pump (3) being hydraulically connected in series to each other.

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