Hydraulic unit, condensing boiler provided with a hydraulic unit and hybrid apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water

Abstract

A hydraulic unit (GR) for a hybrid apparatus (1) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water is described, with a first fitting (R21) configured to be connected to a delivery duct (21) delivering to terminals (20) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms; a second fitting (R15) configured to be connected to a delivery duct (15) delivering to a heat pump (6); a third fitting (R18) configured to be connected to a domestic hot water delivery duct (15); a fourth fitting (R19) configured to be connected to a domestic cold water return duct (19); a fifth fitting (R22) configured to be connected to a return duct (22) returning from the terminals (20) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms; and a sixth fitting (R16) configured to be connected to a return duct (16) returning from the heat pump (6).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000014623 filed on June 25, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention concerns a hydraulic unit, a condensing boiler provided with a hydraulic unit and a hybrid apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water.PRIOR ART

[0003] Typically, a hybrid apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and the production of domestic hot water comprises a condensing wall-mounted boiler, a monobloc heat pump and a hydraulic unit provided with a number of fittings. The condensing boiler, the heat pump and the hydraulic unit are separate from one another. Advantageously, the condensing boiler and the heat pump are arranged in parallel so as to function together (in parallel) or autonomously.

[0004] While functioning satisfactorily, the need is always felt to improve the hybrid apparatuses of known type, above all in order to limit the overall dimensions and costs and, at the same time, increase seasonal efficiency.

[0005] For example, the document EP568122 describes a hydraulic unit of known type for an apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and comprises a first fitting configured to be connected to a delivery duct delivering to terminals for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms; a second fitting configured to be connected to a delivery duct delivering to a heat exchanger; a third fitting configured to be connected to a domestic hot water outlet duct; a fourth fitting configured to be connected to a domestic cold water inlet duct; a fifth fitting configured to be connected to a return duct returning from the terminals for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms; and a sixth fitting configured to be connected to a return duct returning from the heat exchanger. However, the hydraulic unit described in EP568122 is not configured to be connected to a heat pump.

[0006] EP2148149 describes a multifunction hydraulic unit for combined wall-mounted boilers which is not, however, configured to be connected to a heat pump.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hydraulic unit which is free from the drawbacks of the known art and is, in particular, easy and inexpensive to produce.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a condensing boiler provided with a hydraulic unit which is free from the drawbacks of the known art and is, in particular, easy and inexpensive to produce.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hybrid apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water which is free from the drawbacks of the known art and, in particular, has minimum overall dimensions and is easy and inexpensive to produce.

[0010] According to the present invention a hydraulic unit, a condensing boiler provided with a hydraulic unit and a hybrid apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water are provided according to the attached claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: figure 1 illustrates an outline hydraulic diagram of a hybrid apparatus for the heating of rooms and the production of domestic hot water produced according to the present invention in a first operating configuration; figure 2 illustrates the hybrid apparatus for the heating of rooms and the production of domestic hot water of figure 1 in a second operating configuration; figure 3 illustrates the hybrid apparatus for the heating of rooms and the production of domestic hot water of figure 1 in a third operating configuration; figure 4 illustrates the hybrid apparatus for the heating of rooms and the production of domestic hot water of figure 1 in a fourth operating configuration; and figure 5 illustrates an outline hydraulic diagram of a hydraulic unit produced according to the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In figures 1 to 4, the number 1 indicates overall a hybrid apparatus for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and the production of domestic hot water. In particular, the hybrid apparatus 1 is configured for heating and / or summer cooling and the production of hot water for feeding to a hydraulic network 2. The hydraulic network 2 comprises, in turn, in a known manner, a circuit 3 for the production of domestic hot water and a circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling.

[0013] The hybrid apparatus 1 comprises a wall-mounted condensing boiler 5 and a monobloc heat pump 6. The condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6 are separate from each other. Advantageously, the condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6 are arranged in parallel. The condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6 can function together (in parallel) or autonomously.

[0014] The condensing boiler 5 comprises a sealed chamber CS, namely a chamber isolated from the surrounding environment, in which a hydraulic unit GR is also housed.

[0015] The condensing boiler 5 comprises a burner 7 in which a combustion takes place that generates flue gases, at least one fuel gas inlet duct 8 to the burner 7 and a heat exchanger 9 crossed by the hydraulic network 2. In the heat exchanger 9, the thermal exchange between the flue gases produced by the burner 7 and the water coming from the hydraulic unit GR takes place. Advantageously, the condensing boiler 5 comprises an outlet 10 for the flue gases. The condensing boiler 5 is connected to the hydraulic unit GR through a delivery duct 11 delivering the cold water from the hydraulic unit GR to the condensing boiler 5 along which a pumping device 12 is preferably housed; and through a return duct 13 returning the hot water from the condensing boiler 5 to the hydraulic unit GR.

[0016] The heat pump 6 (of known type and not described in detail) comprises a circuit of cooling fluid, which has the job of heating the cold water of the hydraulic network 2 coming from the hydraulic unit GR by means of a (first) heat exchanger 14. The heat pump 6 is connected to the hydraulic unit GR through a delivery duct 15 delivering the hot water from the heat pump 6 to the hydraulic unit GR and through a return duct 16 returning the cold water from the hydraulic unit GR to the heat pump 6.

[0017] The circuit 3 for the production of domestic hot water comprises a domestic water heat exchanger 17, a delivery duct 18 delivering the domestic hot water and a return duct 19 returning the cold domestic water. The domestic water heat exchanger 17 is housed inside the hydraulic unit GR.

[0018] The high temperature heating circuit 5 comprises a number of terminals 20 for heating and / or summer cooling. The terminals 20 comprise, for example, a number of radiators or convector heaters (only one of which is illustrated in the attached figures) or an underfloor system. The terminals 20 are external to the condensing boiler 5. The heating circuit 5 comprises a delivery duct 21 delivering the hot water from the hydraulic unit GR to the terminals 20 and a return duct 22 returning the cold water from the terminals 20 to the hydraulic unit GR.

[0019] The hydraulic unit GR comprises an assembly 23, illustrated in greater detail in figure 5, provided not only with the domestic water heat exchanger 17 but also with a (first) motorized multi-way valve device 24 and a (second) motorized multi-way valve device 25. Advantageously, the multi-way valve devices 24, 25 are four-way valve devices.

[0020] The (first) multi-way valve device 24 is provided with the following fittings: a fitting R13 to be connected to the hot water return duct 13; a fitting R21 to be connected to the delivery duct 21; a fitting R15 to be connected to the delivery duct 15; and a fitting R26 to be connected to a delivery duct 26 delivering the hot water to the domestic water heat exchanger 17.

[0021] The (second) multi-way valve device 25 is provided with the following fittings: a fitting R11 to be connected to the cold water delivery duct 11; a fitting R22 to be connected to the return duct 22; a fitting R16 to be connected to the return duct 16; and a fitting R27 to be connected to a return duct 27 of the cold water from the domestic water heat exchanger 17.

[0022] The hydraulic unit GR is furthermore provided with a fitting R18 to be connected to the domestic hot water outlet duct 18 and a fitting R19 to be connected to the domestic hot water inlet duct 19.

[0023] The hydraulic unit GR is provided with a number of fittings R arranged in the area of a base wall 28 (or tray) of the sealed chamber CS. In further detail, the hydraulic unit GR is provided with a plurality of fittings R arranged in the area of the base wall 28. Advantageously, the hydraulic unit GR is provided with six fittings R arranged in the area of the base wall 28. The six fittings R arranged in the area of the base wall 28 comprise the fitting R21, the fitting R15, the fitting R18, the fitting R19, the fitting R16 and the fitting R22. In other words, the hydraulic unit GR is provided with a plurality of fittings R arranged in the area of the base wall 28 to be connected to the heat pump 6, to the terminals 20 for the heating delivery and return and for the domestic water inlet and outlet.

[0024] The hydraulic unit GR is provided with a number of fittings R arranged inside the assembly 23. In further detail, the hydraulic unit GR is provided with a plurality of fittings R arranged inside the assembly 23. Advantageously, the hydraulic unit GR is provided with four fittings R arranged inside the assembly 23. The four fittings R arranged inside the assembly 23 comprise the fitting R13, the fitting R26, the fitting R27 and the fitting R11.

[0025] Advantageously, the hydraulic unit GR is provided with a further pair of fittings R29, R30 configured to be connected to two expansion vessels indicated by 29 and 30.

[0026] It is important to highlight that the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are configured to allow the circulation of water between the heat pump 6 and the circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling (namely, from and to the terminals 20). In other words, the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are made in such a way as to establish a hydraulic connection between the delivery duct 15 and the delivery duct 21 and between the return duct 16 and the return duct 22 respectively.

[0027] The (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 can assume a first configuration (off) in which the passage from and to the domestic hot water circuit 3 is permitted. In the first configuration, a hydraulic communication is therefore established between the return duct 13 and the delivery duct 26 and a hydraulic communication between the delivery duct 11 and the return duct 27 respectively.

[0028] The (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 can assume a second configuration (on) in which the passage from and to the domestic hot water circuit 3 is prevented. In the second configuration, hydraulic communication of the return duct 13 with the delivery duct 26, and hydraulic communication of the delivery duct 11 with the return duct 27 are both prevented.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a first operating configuration of the hybrid apparatus 1 in which the condensing boiler 5 is activated (in particular, it is on in summer mode) and the heat pump 6 is deactivated (i.e. off). The (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are controlled in the first configuration to allow the circulation of water in the circuit 3 for the production of domestic hot water (namely, from and to the domestic water heat exchanger 17) while the circulation of water from and to the heat pump 6 and in the circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling (namely, from and to the terminals 20) are prevented.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a second operating configuration of the hybrid apparatus 1 in which the condensing boiler 5 is activated (in particular, it is on in summer mode) and also the heat pump 6 is activated (in particular, it is on in cooling mode). The (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are controlled in the first configuration to allow the circulation of water in the circuit 3 for the production of domestic hot water (namely, from and to the domestic water heat exchanger 17). Furthermore, the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are configured to allow the circulation of water between the heat pump 6 and the circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling (namely, from and to the terminals 20). In other words, the water is circulated inside the circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling solely by the heat pump 6. In further detail, the cold water exiting the heat pump 6 is fed to the (first) valve device 24 by means of the delivery duct 15; from the (first) valve device 24 the cold water is sent to the terminals 20 by means of the delivery duct 21; from the terminals 20 the hot water is sent to the (second) multi-way valve device 25 by means of the return duct 22; and from the (second) multi-way valve device 25 the hot water is sent back to the heat pump 6 by means of the return duct 16.

[0031] Figure 3 illustrates a third operating configuration of the hybrid apparatus 1 in which the condensing boiler 5 is activated (in particular, it is on in winter mode) and also the heat pump 6 is activated (in particular, it is on in heating mode). The (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are controlled in the second configuration to prevent the circulation of water in the circuit 3 for the production of domestic hot water (namely, from and to the domestic water heat exchanger 17). Furthermore, the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are controlled to allow the circulation of water coming from the condensing boiler 5 in the heating circuit 4 (namely, from and to the terminals 20). Furthermore, the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are configured to allow the circulation of water between the heat pump 6 and the circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling (namely, from and to the terminals 20). In other words, the circulation of the water inside the room heating circuit 4 is obtained both due to the condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6. The condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6 work in parallel. In further detail, the hot water exiting the condensing boiler 5 is fed to the (first) valve device 24 by means of the return duct 13; from the (first) valve device 24 the hot water is sent to the terminals 20 by means of the delivery duct 21; from the terminals 20 the hot water is sent to the (second) multi-way valve device 25 by means of the return duct 22; and from the (second) multi-way valve device 25 the hot water is sent back to the condensing boiler 5 by means of the delivery duct 11. Furthermore, the water exiting the heat pump 6 is fed to the (first) valve device 24 by means of the delivery duct 15; from the (first) valve device 24 the hot water is sent to the terminals 20 by means of the delivery duct 21; from the terminals 20 the cold water is sent to the (second) multi-way valve device 25 by means of the return duct 22; and from the (second) multi-way valve device 25 the cold water is sent back to the heat pump 6 by means of the return duct 16.

[0032] Figure 4 illustrates a fourth operating configuration of the hybrid apparatus 1 in which the condensing boiler 5 is activated (in particular, it is on in winter mode) and also the heat pump 6 is activated (in particular, it is on in heating mode). The (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are controlled by a flow sensor 31, as in the first configuration, to allow the circulation of water in the circuit 3 for the production of domestic hot water (namely, from and to the domestic water heat exchanger 17). Furthermore, the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are controlled to prevent the circulation of water coming from the condensing boiler 5 in the room heating circuit 4 (namely, from and to the terminals 20). Furthermore, the (first) multi-way valve device 24 and the (second) multi-way valve device 25 are configured to allow the circulation of water between the heat pump 6 and the circuit 4 for heating and / or summer cooling (namely, from and to the terminals 20). In other words, the water is circulated inside the room heating circuit 4 by the heat pump 6, while simultaneously the boiler 5 performs the function of producing domestic hot water controlled by the flow sensor 31.

[0033] In greater detail, the hot water exiting the heat pump 6 is fed to the (first) valve device 24 by means of the delivery duct 15; from the (first) valve device 24 the hot water is sent to the terminals 20 by means of the delivery duct 21; from the terminals 20 the cold water is sent to the (second) multi-way valve device 25 by means of the return duct 22; and from the (second) multi-way valve device 25 the cold water is sent back to the heat pump 6 by means of the return duct 16.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

[0034] 1hybrid apparatus 2hydraulic network 3domestic hot water circuit 4circuit for heating and summer cooling 5condensing boiler 6heat pump 7burner 8gas inlet duct 9heat exchanger 10outlet 11delivery duct 12pumping device 13return duct 14heat exchanger 15delivery duct 16return duct 17domestic water heat exchanger 18delivery duct 19return duct 20terminal 21delivery duct 22return duct 23assembly 24multi-way valve device 25multi-way valve device 26delivery duct 27return duct 28base wall 29expansion vessel 30expansion vessel 31domestic water flow meter GRhydraulic unit CSsealed chamber Rfitting

Claims

1. A hydraulic unit (GR) for a hybrid apparatus (1) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water comprising: - a first fitting (R21) configured to be connected to a delivery duct (21) delivering to terminals (20) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms; - a second fitting (R15) configured to be connected to a delivery duct (15) delivering to a heat pump (6); - a third fitting (R18) configured to be connected to a domestic hot water outlet duct (15); - a fourth fitting (R19) configured to be connected to a domestic cold water inlet duct (19); - a fifth fitting (R22) configured to be connected to a return duct (22) returning from the terminals (20) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms; and - a sixth fitting (R16) configured to be connected to a return duct (16) returning from the heat pump (6); the hydraulic unit is characterized in that it comprises a first multi-way valve device (24), in particular a 4-way device, provided with the first fitting (R21) and the second fitting (R15) and a second multi-way valve device (25), in particular a 4-way device, provided with the fifth fitting (R22) and sixth fitting (R16).

2. The hydraulic unit according to claim 1, wherein the first multi-way valve device (24) is configured to establish a hydraulic communication between the first fitting (R21) and the second fitting (R15).

3. The hydraulic unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first multi-way valve device (24) comprises: - an eighth fitting (R13) configured to be connected to a return duct (13) of a condensing boiler (5); and - a ninth fitting (R26) configured to be connected to a delivery duct (26) of a domestic water heat exchanger (17).

4. The hydraulic unit according to claim 3, wherein the first multi-way valve device (24) can assume a first configuration, in which a hydraulic communication is established between the eighth fitting (R13) and the ninth fitting (R26), and a second configuration, in which the hydraulic communication between the eighth fitting (R13) and the ninth fitting (R26) is prevented.

5. The hydraulic unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second multi-way valve device (25) is configured to establish a hydraulic communication between the fifth fitting (R22) and the sixth fitting (R16).

6. The hydraulic unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second multi-way valve device (25) comprises: - a tenth fitting (R11) configured to be connected to a delivery duct (11) of a condensing boiler (5); and - an eleventh fitting (R27) configured to be connected to a return duct (27) of a domestic water heat exchanger (17).

7. The hydraulic unit according to claim 6, wherein the second multi-way valve device (25) can assume a first configuration, in which a hydraulic communication is established between the tenth fitting (R11) and the eleventh fitting (R27), and a second configuration, in which the hydraulic communication between the tenth fitting (R11) and the eleventh fitting (R27) is prevented.

8. The hydraulic unit according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one twelfth fitting (R29, R30) configured to be connected to an expansion vessel (29, 30).

9. The hydraulic unit according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising an assembly (23) enclosing, on the inside, a domestic water heat exchanger (17) and / or a first multi-way valve device (24) and / or a second multi-way valve device (25).

10. The hydraulic unit according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising a seventh fitting (R8) configured to be connected to a fuel gas inlet duct (8).

11. A condensing boiler (5) comprising a sealed chamber (CS), i.e. isolated from the external environment, provided with a base wall (28); and a hydraulic unit (GR) according to any one of the preceding claims and housed inside the sealed chamber (CS); wherein the first fitting (R21), the second fitting (R15), the third fitting (R18), the fourth fitting (R19), the fifth fitting (R22) and the sixth fitting (R16) are located in the area of the base wall (28).

12. A hybrid apparatus (1) for the heating and / or summer cooling of rooms and for the production of domestic hot water comprising a condensing boiler (5) according to claim 11 and a monobloc heat pump (6) preferably arranged in parallel to the condensing boiler (5).

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