Combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production

Abstract

A combined apparatus (1) for room heating and domestic hot water production is described, comprising a condensing boiler (5) and a heat pump (6). The condensing boiler (5) is provided with an outlet mouth (25) of the combustion fumes and the heat pump (6) comprises an evaporator (19) in which an exchange of heat takes place between a flow of air and combustion fumes and a refrigerant fluid that evaporates, shifting from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase. The combined apparatus (1) is further provided with a casing (26) which encloses, on the inside, the evaporator (19), a combustion fume inlet duct (27), which originates from the outlet mouth (25), and an auxiliary fan (28) configured to suck the air from the external environment and push it, under pressure, towards the evaporator (19); wherein the auxiliary fan (28) is placed upstream of the air-fume mixing node (35), separated and at a certain distance from the evaporator (19).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000014587 filed on June 25, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production.PRIOR ART

[0003] Typically, a combined apparatus of known type for room heating and domestic hot water production comprises a condensing boiler and a heat pump, configured to increase the seasonal efficiency of the combined apparatus until obtaining efficiencies greater than 110% measured according to the method of the gas appliances (EN15502).

[0004] Typically, the condensing boiler and the heat pump are connected to (associated with) each other inside a sealed chamber, i.e. a chamber isolated from the surrounding environment.

[0005] The heat pump comprises a refrigerant fluid circuit, which has the task of heating cold water and comprises an evaporator, in which the refrigerant fluid evaporates shifting from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase; a condenser, in which the refrigerant fluid condenses shifting from the gaseous phase to the liquid phase and transferring heat to the cold water; and a compressor configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid by sucking it from the evaporator in the form of gas and compressing it to convey it towards the condenser.

[0006] The condensing boiler instead comprises a burner in which a combustion takes place which generates combustion fumes; a fan configured to supply air from the external environment and feed it to the burner; and an exchanger in which the heat exchange takes place between the combustion fumes produced by the burner and the water coming from the heat pump. The cold water is heated a first time by the heat pump and a second time through the condensing boiler.

[0007] Although it works satisfactorily, the need is always felt to improve the combined apparatuses of known type with the aim to contain the overall dimensions and, at the same time, increase seasonal efficiency.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production which is free from the drawbacks of the state of the art and is, in particular, easy and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0009] According to the present invention, a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production is provided according to what is set forth in the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a non-limiting embodiment example thereof, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a general hydraulic diagram of a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production comprising a condensing boiler and a heat pump manufactured in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged detail of the combined apparatus of Figure 1. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production. In particular, the combined apparatus 1 is configured for room heating and domestic hot water production through a hydraulic network 2. The hydraulic network 2 comprises, in turn, in a known manner, a domestic hot water production circuit 3 and a high-temperature heating circuit 4. The hydraulic network 2 partially extends inside the combined apparatus 1 as better described in the following discussion.

[0012] The combined apparatus 1 comprises a condensing boiler 5 and a heat pump 6. In more detail, the condensing boiler 5, preferably of the wall-mounted type, and the heat pump 6, preferably of the compact type and configured to increase the seasonal efficiency of the combined apparatus 1, are inserted inside the combined apparatus 1. The combined apparatus 1 is configured for efficiencies greater than 110% measured according to the method of the gas appliances (EN15502) .

[0013] The condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6 are connected to (associated with) each other so as to define the single combined apparatus 1. The combined apparatus 1 comprises a sealed chamber CS, i.e. a chamber isolated from the surrounding environment, which houses both the heat pump 6 and the condensing boiler 5.

[0014] The hydraulic network 2 partially extends inside the combined apparatus 1 so that the water is heated first by the heat pump 6 and then by the condensing boiler 5 to then be introduced into the heating circuit 4 through a hot water delivery duct 7 along which a three-way valve device 8 is housed.

[0015] The circuit 3 for domestic hot water production comprises a hot water delivery duct 9 towards at least one domestic heat exchanger 10 and a cold water return duct 11 from the heat exchanger 10 towards a collection manifold 12. The delivery duct 9 originates from the three-way valve device 8.

[0016] The high temperature heating circuit 4 comprises a number of heating terminals 13 (outside the combined apparatus 1 but connected to the combined apparatus 1). The heating terminals 13 comprise, for example, a number of radiators 13 (only one of which is illustrated in the accompanying figure) or a floor system.

[0017] The heating circuit 4 comprises, in addition to the hot water delivery duct 7 towards the heating terminals 13, also a cold water return duct 14 from the heating terminals 13 to the collection manifold 12. Advantageously, a magnetic filter 15 is housed along the return duct 14.

[0018] The collection manifold 12 is provided with respective fittings for the connection with the two return ducts 11 and 14. Furthermore, the collection manifold 12 is connected to an expansion tank 16 and to a delivery duct 17 that feeds the cold water to the heat pump 6. Advantageously, a pumping device 18 for circulating and feeding the cold water is housed along the delivery duct 17.

[0019] The heat pump 6 comprises a refrigerant fluid circuit, which has the task of heating the cold water of the hydraulic network 2 coming from the collection manifold 12. Advantageously, the refrigerant fluid used in the heat pump 6 is propane.

[0020] The heat pump 6 comprises a (first) heat exchanger 19, preferably of the lamellar type and generally indicated as evaporator 19, in which the refrigerant fluid evaporates shifting from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase.

[0021] The heat pump 6 then comprises a second water / refrigerant fluid heat exchanger 20, preferably of the plate type and generally indicated as a condenser 20, in which the refrigerant fluid condenses shifting from the gaseous phase to the liquid phase and yielding heat to the cold water of the hydraulic network 2 coming from the collection manifold 12 (preferably due to the action of the pumping device 18).

[0022] The heat pump 6 comprises a compressor 21 which is configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant fluid circuit, sucking it from the evaporator 19 in the form of gas and compressing it to convey it towards the condenser 20. The refrigerant fluid is then sent from the evaporator 19 to the condenser 20 under the action of the compressor 21.

[0023] Finally, a thermostatic expansion valve 33 interposed between the evaporator 19 and the condenser 20 is configured to determine the necessary and sufficient pressure drop to keep the pressure of the refrigerant fluid at the desired values at the evaporator 19 and at the condenser 20.

[0024] The condensing boiler 5 instead comprises a (premixed) burner 22 in which a combustion takes place which generates combustion fumes, at least one inlet 34 of the combustible gas to the burner 22 and a heat exchanger 24 passed through by the hydraulic network 2. The condensing boiler 5 further comprises a (first or main) fan 23 configured to supply air from the external environment and feed it to the burner 22. In the heat exchanger 24, the heat exchange takes place between the combustion fumes produced by the burner 22 and the water coming from the heat pump 6 (in particular from the condenser 20).

[0025] Advantageously, the condensing boiler 5 comprises an outlet mouth 25 for the combustion fumes. Going into detail concerning the hydraulic network 2, the cold water returning from the circuit 3 for domestic hot water production and / or from the high temperature heating circuit 4, is collected in the collection manifold 12 and from here through the delivery duct 17 is fed through the condenser 20. The water of the hydraulic network 2 is heated a first time by the heat pump 6. Subsequently, the water exiting the heat pump 6 (in particular the condenser 20) is heated a second time through the condensing boiler 5, in particular through the heat exchanger 24 where the heat exchange takes place between the combustion fumes and water.

[0026] The combined heating system 1 comprises an outlet duct connected to the outlet mouth for the fumes produced by the combustion inside the condensing boiler.

[0027] The combined apparatus 1 then comprises a casing 26, arranged in the area of the sealed chamber CS. The casing 26 is in communication with the external environment through the air inlet duct 29.

[0028] The casing 26 encloses, on the inside, a combustion fume inlet duct 27, which originates from the outlet mouth 25 of the heat exchanger 24 of the condensing boiler. The fume inlet duct 27 extends inside the casing 26 so as to convey the combustion fumes in the area of the evaporator 19. Advantageously, the fume inlet duct 27 does not have a constant section and comprises an at least partially L-shaped end portion for directing the fumes towards the evaporator 19. The evaporator 19 is also advantageously housed inside the casing.

[0029] The air coming from the outside is sucked inside the casing 26 by a (second) auxiliary fan 28 through an inlet 29 provided with an axis X. The fan 28 is configured to suck a large amount of air from the external environment and push it towards the evaporator 19. The fan 28 is arranged near the inlet 29.

[0030] In more detail, the air from the outside, sucked in by the auxiliary fan 28, mixes with the combustion fumes fed by the fume inlet duct 27. The flow of combustion fumes and air coming from the outside is directed in the area of the evaporator 19 by means of a circuit under circulation pressure of the flow of combustion fumes and air. Inside the casing 26 in the area of the evaporator 19, a heat exchange takes place directly between the flow of combustion fumes and air and the refrigerant fluid.

[0031] It is important to note that the fan 28 is not associated with the evaporator 19; in more detail, the fan 28 is positioned upstream of a mixing node 35. In other words, inside the sealed chamber CS the mixing node 35 is defined that distinguishes (identifies) the point where the combustion fumes coming from the fume inlet duct 27 are mixed with the ambient air sucked by the fan 28; the mixing node 35 is arranged downstream of both the fan 23 and the fan 28 along feeding paths of the combustion fumes and the ambient air, respectively. The mixing node 35 is arranged upstream of the evaporator 19. In more detail, the mixing node 35 is arranged at a non-zero distance from the evaporator 19.

[0032] The feeding path of the combustion fumes provides for the combustion fumes produced by the burner 22 to pass in the fume inlet duct 27 through the outlet mouth 25; once they reach the mixing node 35 and mix with the ambient air, they flow through the evaporator 19. The feeding path of the ambient air instead provides for the ambient air sucked by the fan 28 to enter inside the casing 26 through the inlet 29; once it reaches the mixing node 35 and mixes with the combustion fumes, it flows through the evaporator 19.

[0033] When the evaporator 19 is hit by the flow of combustion fumes and air, heat is yielded to the refrigerant fluid circulating in the heat pump 6.

[0034] Downstream of the evaporator 19, a discharge duct 30 for discharging the mixture of air and fumes into the atmosphere is present. The flow of combustion fumes and air that flows through the evaporator 19, once yielded heat to the refrigerant fluid, is evacuated into the atmosphere through the discharge duct 30. Advantageously, the discharge duct 30 is coaxial to the axis X. In other words, the inlet 29 has an annular shape in section and surrounds the discharge duct 30.

[0035] Advantageously, the casing 26 comprises a wall 31 with a substantially annular shape which partially defines the discharge duct 30 and delimits the circulation circuit of the flow of combustion fumes and air. The casing 26 finally comprises a box 32 that connects with the discharge duct 30 and is configured to contain the flow of combustion fumes and air flowing through the evaporator 19.

[0036] It is also important to note that the inside of the casing 26 is under pressure due to the action of the fan 28 (in other words, the casing 26 is not in a vacuum).

[0037] According to a further possible embodiment, the combined apparatus 1 is configured exclusively for room heating.LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

[0038] 1combined apparatus 2hydraulic network 3hot domestic water circuit 4heating circuit 5condensing boiler 6heat pump 7boiler delivery duct 8three-way valve device 9domestic circuit delivery duct 10domestic heat exchanger 11domestic circuit return duct 12return collection manifold 13heating terminals 14heating return duct 15magnetic filter 16expansion tank 17delivery duct 18pumping device 19evaporator 20condenser 21compressor 22Premixed burner 23Burner fan 24boiler heat exchanger 25outlet mouth 26casing 27fume inlet duct 28fan 29external air inlet 30air-fume discharge duct 31wall 32evaporator box 33thermostatic expansion valve 34gas inlet 35air-fume mixing node CSsealed chamber Xaxis

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011]In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production. In particular, the combined apparatus 1 is configured for room heating and domestic hot water production through a hydraulic network 2. The hydraulic network 2 comprises, in turn, in a known manner, a domestic hot water production circuit 3 and a high-temperature heating circuit 4. The hydraulic network 2 partially extends inside the combined apparatus 1 as better described in the following discussion.

[0012]The combined apparatus 1 comprises a condensing boiler 5 and a heat pump 6. In more detail, the condensing boiler 5, preferably of the wall-mounted type, and the heat pump 6, preferably of the compact type and configured to increase the seasonal efficiency of the combined apparatus 1, are inserted inside the combined apparatus 1. The combined apparatus 1 is configured for efficiencies greater than 110% measured according to the method of th...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000014587 filed on June 25, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production.PRIOR ART

[0003] Typically, a combined apparatus of known type for room heating and domestic hot water production comprises a condensing boiler and a heat pump, configured to increase the seasonal efficiency of the combined apparatus until obtaining efficiencies greater than 110% measured according to the method of the gas appliances (EN15502).

[0004] Typically, the condensing boiler and the heat pump are connected to (associated with) each other inside a sealed chamber, i.e. a chamber isolated from the surrounding environment.

[0005] The heat pump comprises a refrigerant fluid circuit, which has the task of heating cold water and comprises an evaporator, in which the refrigerant fluid evaporates shifting from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase; a condenser, in which the refrigerant fluid condenses shifting from the gaseous phase to the liquid phase and transferring heat to the cold water; and a compressor configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid by sucking it from the evaporator in the form of gas and compressing it to convey it towards the condenser.

[0006] The condensing boiler instead comprises a burner in which a combustion takes place which generates combustion fumes; a fan configured to supply air from the external environment and feed it to the burner; and an exchanger in which the heat exchange takes place between the combustion fumes produced by the burner and the water coming from the heat pump. The cold water is heated a first time by the heat pump and a second time through the condensing boiler.

[0007] Although it works satisfactorily, the need is always felt to improve the combined apparatuses of known type with the aim to contain the overall dimensions and, at the same time, increase seasonal efficiency.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production which is free from the drawbacks of the state of the art and is, in particular, easy and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0009] According to the present invention, a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production is provided according to what is set forth in the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a non-limiting embodiment example thereof, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a general hydraulic diagram of a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production comprising a condensing boiler and a heat pump manufactured in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged detail of the combined apparatus of Figure 1. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production. In particular, the combined apparatus 1 is configured for room heating and domestic hot water production through a hydraulic network 2. The hydraulic network 2 comprises, in turn, in a known manner, a domestic hot water production circuit 3 and a high-temperature heating circuit 4. The hydraulic network 2 partially extends inside the combined apparatus 1 as better described in the following discussion.

[0012] The combined apparatus 1 comprises a condensing boiler 5 and a heat pump 6. In more detail, the condensing boiler 5, preferably of the wall-mounted type, and the heat pump 6, preferably of the compact type and configured to increase the seasonal efficiency of the combined apparatus 1, are inserted inside the combined apparatus 1. The combined apparatus 1 is configured for efficiencies greater than 110% measured according to the method of the gas appliances (EN15502) .

[0013] The condensing boiler 5 and the heat pump 6 are connected to (associated with) each other so as to define the single combined apparatus 1. The combined apparatus 1 comprises a sealed chamber CS, i.e. a chamber isolated from the surrounding environment, which houses both the heat pump 6 and the condensing boiler 5.

[0014] The hydraulic network 2 partially extends inside the combined apparatus 1 so that the water is heated first by the heat pump 6 and then by the condensing boiler 5 to then be introduced into the heating circuit 4 through a hot water delivery duct 7 along which a three-way valve device 8 is housed.

[0015] The circuit 3 for domestic hot water production comprises a hot water delivery duct 9 towards at least one domestic heat exchanger 10 and a cold water return duct 11 from the heat exchanger 10 towards a collection manifold 12. The delivery duct 9 originates from the three-way valve device 8.

[0016] The high temperature heating circuit 4 comprises a number of heating terminals 13 (outside the combined apparatus 1 but connected to the combined apparatus 1). The heating terminals 13 comprise, for example, a number of radiators 13 (only one of which is illustrated in the accompanying figure) or a floor system.

[0017] The heating circuit 4 comprises, in addition to the hot water delivery duct 7 towards the heating terminals 13, also a cold water return duct 14 from the heating terminals 13 to the collection manifold 12. Advantageously, a magnetic filter 15 is housed along the return duct 14.

[0018] The collection manifold 12 is provided with respective fittings for the connection with the two return ducts 11 and 14. Furthermore, the collection manifold 12 is connected to an expansion tank 16 and to a delivery duct 17 that feeds the cold water to the heat pump 6. Advantageously, a pumping device 18 for circulating and feeding the cold water is housed along the delivery duct 17.

[0019] The heat pump 6 comprises a refrigerant fluid circuit, which has the task of heating the cold water of the hydraulic network 2 coming from the collection manifold 12. Advantageously, the refrigerant fluid used in the heat pump 6 is propane.

[0020] The heat pump 6 comprises a (first) heat exchanger 19, preferably of the lamellar type and generally indicated as evaporator 19, in which the refrigerant fluid evaporates shifting from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase.

[0021] The heat pump 6 then comprises a second water / refrigerant fluid heat exchanger 20, preferably of the plate type and generally indicated as a condenser 20, in which the refrigerant fluid condenses shifting from the gaseous phase to the liquid phase and yielding heat to the cold water of the hydraulic network 2 coming from the collection manifold 12 (preferably due to the action of the pumping device 18).

[0022] The heat pump 6 comprises a compressor 21 which is configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant fluid circuit, sucking it from the evaporator 19 in the form of gas and compressing it to convey it towards the condenser 20. The refrigerant fluid is then sent from the evaporator 19 to the condenser 20 under the action of the compressor 21.

[0023] Finally, a thermostatic expansion valve 33 interposed between the evaporator 19 and the condenser 20 is configured to determine the necessary and sufficient pressure drop to keep the pressure of the refrigerant fluid at the desired values at the evaporator 19 and at the condenser 20.

[0024] The condensing boiler 5 instead comprises a (premixed) burner 22 in which a combustion takes place which generates combustion fumes, at least one inlet 34 of the combustible gas to the burner 22 and a heat exchanger 24 passed through by the hydraulic network 2. The condensing boiler 5 further comprises a (first or main) fan 23 configured to supply air from the external environment and feed it to the burner 22. In the heat exchanger 24, the heat exchange takes place between the combustion fumes produced by the burner 22 and the water coming from the heat pump 6 (in particular from the condenser 20).

[0025] Advantageously, the condensing boiler 5 comprises an outlet mouth 25 for the combustion fumes. Going into detail concerning the hydraulic network 2, the cold water returning from the circuit 3 for domestic hot water production and / or from the high temperature heating circuit 4, is collected in the collection manifold 12 and from here through the delivery duct 17 is fed through the condenser 20. The water of the hydraulic network 2 is heated a first time by the heat pump 6. Subsequently, the water exiting the heat pump 6 (in particular the condenser 20) is heated a second time through the condensing boiler 5, in particular through the heat exchanger 24 where the heat exchange takes place between the combustion fumes and water.

[0026] The combined heating system 1 comprises an outlet duct connected to the outlet mouth for the fumes produced by the combustion inside the condensing boiler.

[0027] The combined apparatus 1 then comprises a casing 26, arranged in the area of the sealed chamber CS. The casing 26 is in communication with the external environment through the air inlet duct 29.

[0028] The casing 26 encloses, on the inside, a combustion fume inlet duct 27, which originates from the outlet mouth 25 of the heat exchanger 24 of the condensing boiler. The fume inlet duct 27 extends inside the casing 26 so as to convey the combustion fumes in the area of the evaporator 19. Advantageously, the fume inlet duct 27 does not have a constant section and comprises an at least partially L-shaped end portion for directing the fumes towards the evaporator 19. The evaporator 19 is also advantageously housed inside the casing.

[0029] The air coming from the outside is sucked inside the casing 26 by a (second) auxiliary fan 28 through an inlet 29 provided with an axis X. The fan 28 is configured to suck a large amount of air from the external environment and push it towards the evaporator 19. The fan 28 is arranged near the inlet 29.

[0030] In more detail, the air from the outside, sucked in by the auxiliary fan 28, mixes with the combustion fumes fed by the fume inlet duct 27. The flow of combustion fumes and air coming from the outside is directed in the area of the evaporator 19 by means of a circuit under circulation pressure of the flow of combustion fumes and air. Inside the casing 26 in the area of the evaporator 19, a heat exchange takes place directly between the flow of combustion fumes and air and the refrigerant fluid.

[0031] It is important to note that the fan 28 is not associated with the evaporator 19; in more detail, the fan 28 is positioned upstream of a mixing node 35. In other words, inside the sealed chamber CS the mixing node 35 is defined that distinguishes (identifies) the point where the combustion fumes coming from the fume inlet duct 27 are mixed with the ambient air sucked by the fan 28; the mixing node 35 is arranged downstream of both the fan 23 and the fan 28 along feeding paths of the combustion fumes and the ambient air, respectively. The mixing node 35 is arranged upstream of the evaporator 19. In more detail, the mixing node 35 is arranged at a non-zero distance from the evaporator 19.

[0032] The feeding path of the combustion fumes provides for the combustion fumes produced by the burner 22 to pass in the fume inlet duct 27 through the outlet mouth 25; once they reach the mixing node 35 and mix with the ambient air, they flow through the evaporator 19. The feeding path of the ambient air instead provides for the ambient air sucked by the fan 28 to enter inside the casing 26 through the inlet 29; once it reaches the mixing node 35 and mixes with the combustion fumes, it flows through the evaporator 19.

[0033] When the evaporator 19 is hit by the flow of combustion fumes and air, heat is yielded to the refrigerant fluid circulating in the heat pump 6.

[0034] Downstream of the evaporator 19, a discharge duct 30 for discharging the mixture of air and fumes into the atmosphere is present. The flow of combustion fumes and air that flows through the evaporator 19, once yielded heat to the refrigerant fluid, is evacuated into the atmosphere through the discharge duct 30. Advantageously, the discharge duct 30 is coaxial to the axis X. In other words, the inlet 29 has an annular shape in section and surrounds the discharge duct 30.

[0035] Advantageously, the casing 26 comprises a wall 31 with a substantially annular shape which partially defines the discharge duct 30 and delimits the circulation circuit of the flow of combustion fumes and air. The casing 26 finally comprises a box 32 that connects with the discharge duct 30 and is configured to contain the flow of combustion fumes and air flowing through the evaporator 19.

[0036] It is also important to note that the inside of the casing 26 is under pressure due to the action of the fan 28 (in other words, the casing 26 is not in a vacuum).

[0037] According to a further possible embodiment, the combined apparatus 1 is configured exclusively for room heating.LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

[0038] 1combined apparatus 2hydraulic network 3hot domestic water circuit 4heating circuit 5condensing boiler 6heat pump 7boiler delivery duct 8three-way valve device 9domestic circuit delivery duct 10domestic heat exchanger 11domestic circuit return duct 12return collection manifold 13heating terminals 14heating return duct 15magnetic filter 16expansion tank 17delivery duct 18pumping device 19evaporator 20condenser 21compressor 22Premixed burner 23Burner fan 24boiler heat exchanger 25outlet mouth 26casing 27fume inlet duct 28fan 29external air inlet 30air-fume discharge duct 31wall 32evaporator box 33thermostatic expansion valve 34gas inlet 35air-fume mixing node CSsealed chamber Xaxis

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011]In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a combined apparatus for room heating and domestic hot water production. In particular, the combined apparatus 1 is configured for room heating and domestic hot water production through a hydraulic network 2. The hydraulic network 2 comprises, in turn, in a known manner, a domestic hot water production circuit 3 and a high-temperature heating circuit 4. The hydraulic network 2 partially extends inside the combined apparatus 1 as better described in the following discussion.

[0012]The combined apparatus 1 comprises a condensing boiler 5 and a heat pump 6. In more detail, the condensing boiler 5, preferably of the wall-mounted type, and the heat pump 6, preferably of the compact type and configured to increase the seasonal efficiency of the combined apparatus 1, are inserted inside the combined apparatus 1. The combined apparatus 1 is configured for efficiencies greater than 110% measured according to the method of th...

Claims

1. A combined apparatus (1) for room heating and domestic hot water production comprising a condensing boiler (5), a heat pump (6) and a sealed chamber (CS), i.e. isolated from the external environment, which houses both the condensing boiler (5) and the heat pump (6); wherein the condensing boiler (5) in turn comprises: - a burner (22) in which combustion takes place that generates combustion fumes; - a first fan (23) configured to suck the air from the external environment and feed it to the burner (22); and - an outlet mouth (25) of the combustion fumes produced by the burner (22); and wherein the heat pump (6) comprises an evaporator (19), in which an exchange of heat takes place between a flow of air and combustion fumes and a refrigerant fluid that evaporates shifting from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase; the combined apparatus (1) is characterized in that it comprises a sealed casing (26), i.e. isolated from the sealed chamber (CS), which encloses, on the inside, the evaporator (19), a combustion fume inlet duct (27), which originates from said outlet mouth (25), and a second fan (28) configured to suck the air from the external environment and feed it towards the evaporator (19); inside the sealed chamber (CS) a mixing node (35) is defined for the combustion fumes coming from the fume inlet duct (27) and the ambient air sucked by the second fan (28); wherein the mixing node (35) is arranged downstream of both the first fan (23) and the second fan (28), along the feeding paths of the combustion fumes and ambient air, respectively.

2. The combined apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing node (35) is arranged at a non-zero distance from the evaporator (19).

3. The combined apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the casing (26) is under pressure due to the action of the second fan (28).

4. The combined apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed casing (26) is arranged in the area of an end of the sealed chamber (CS) and communicates with the external environment.

5. The combined apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed casing (26) is provided with an air inlet (29) letting in air from the external environment and the second fan (28) is arranged in the area of said inlet (29).

6. The combined apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed casing (26) comprises a discharge duct (30) for releasing the mixture of air and fumes flowing through the evaporator (19) into the atmosphere.

7. The combined apparatus according to claim 6 and comprising a first wall (31) with a substantially annular shape, which partially defines the discharge duct (30) and delimits a circulation circuit for the flow of combustion fumes and air inside the sealed casing (26).

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