Air-driven housing for the circulation of two separate air flows and heat pump system with such a housing

Abstract

Aerodynamic housing for the circulation of two separate air streams and heat pump system equipped with such a housing The invention relates to an aerodynamic housing (1) for the circulation of two separate air streams (FA1 and FA2), comprising a first closed hollow body (2) the wall of which is provided with at least three first openings (4, 4', 4") to the outside oriented in at least two different directions and / or arranged on at least two different sides of said first hollow body (2).A casing characterized in that it comprises a second closed hollow body (5), located in the internal volume (2') of the first closed hollow body (2) and forming with the latter a set of two hollow bodies (2 and 5) nested one inside the other and defining between them an interstitial volume (1'), in that this second internal hollow body (5) has at least three second openings (6) which open to the outside through the wall of the first external hollow body (2), and in that at least one of the second openings (6) opens at the level and inside one of the first openings (4), forming at least one double or coaxial structure opening (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of equipment related to the circulation of gaseous fluids, in particular air, especially in a context of heat transfer between two media, and has as its objects an aerodynamic box for the circulation of two distinct air flows and a heat pump system to which such a box is associated or which integrates it.

[0002] Heat pump systems operate with an incoming airflow and an outgoing airflow, which can be respectively conveyed and evacuated either by simple, distinct and separate ducts, possibly oriented in different directions, or by coaxial reverse double flow air circulation ducts, i.e. two ducts arranged concentrically in which both the incoming and outgoing airflows circulate.

[0003] The situations encountered at installation sites for such systems, in terms of mounting location and connection configuration, are highly varied. Added to this are the constraints on incoming and outgoing airflow related to the heat pump system itself (construction configuration) and the existing external connection possibilities within the installation room.

[0004] As a result, installers are often forced to improvise on-site and waste considerable time making complex, often specific and unique connections. Furthermore, these connections, created from scratch on-site, are most often not optimized in terms of fluid flow and space requirements and depend entirely on the quality of the work performed on-site by the installer.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome at least some of these drawbacks and to offer a simple, compact, and at least partially standardized solution based on a prefabricated element intended to be mounted or integrated into a heat pump system. This solution should provide, at the air inlet and outlet of the heat pump system, at least two, and preferably several, spatial configuration options for connection to the external environment in terms of air circulation, either through simple or coaxial ducts, and preferably with limited heat exchange between the incoming and outgoing airflows. Furthermore, this solution should also improve air circulation at the inlet of the heat pump system to which it is applied, either by mounting or integration.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an aerodynamic housing for the circulation of two separate airflows, comprising a first closed hollow body whose wall is provided with at least three first openings to the outside oriented in at least two different directions and / or arranged on at least two different sides of said first hollow body, the housing characterized in that it comprises a second closed hollow body, located in the internal volume of the first closed hollow body and forming with the latter a set of two hollow bodies nested one inside the other, with a first external hollow body and a second internal hollow body which define between them an interstitial volume, in that this second internal hollow body has at least three openings, or second openings, which open to the outside through the wall of the first external hollow body,and in that at least one of the second openings leads to and within one of the first openings, forming at least one double or coaxial opening.

[0007] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1A] et [Fig. 1B ] are schematic perspective views, from two different directions, of a heat pump system equipped with an air handling unit according to an example of a first embodiment of the invention (parallelepiped-shaped air handling unit with four double openings); [ Fig. 2 is seen from a perspective similar to that of the figure 1A , showing the air handling unit being mounted on the heat pump system; Fig. 3 ] is a schematic perspective view of the air handling unit shown figures 1 And 2 , seen from below in perspective; Fig. 4 ] is a top elevation view of the air handling unit shown figures 1 à 3 ; Fig. 5A ] is a cross-sectional view along AA of the housing shown figure 4 ; Fig. 5B ] is a cross-sectional view along BB of the housing shown figure 5A ; Fig. 6 ] is a view of the heat pump system similar to that of the figure 1A , however, the first external hollow body of the casing is removed and only the second internal hollow body is shown; Fig. 7 ] is a top elevation view of the heat pump system shown figure 6 ; Fig. 8A ] is a partial cross-sectional view along AA of the system shown figure 7 ; Fig. 8B ] is a cross-sectional view along DD of the system represented figure 8A ; Fig. 9A ] And [ Fig. 9B ] are exploded perspective views of the heat pump system similar to that of the figure 2 illustrating two possible variants of connecting the air handling unit (respectively with four coaxial ducts and with a single coaxial duct); Fig. 10A ] And [ Fig. 10B ] are perspective views of the heat pump system similar to that of the figure 2 illustrating another possible variant of connecting the air handling unit (a coaxial duct), shown in exploded view ( figure 10A ) and in the assembled state ( figure10B ) ; [ Fig. 11 ] is a top elevation view of the heat pump system shown figure 10B ; Fig. 12 ] is a cross-sectional view along EE of the system represented figure 11 ; Fig. 13 ] is an exploded and perspective view of the system represented figure 2 , 9 And 10Aillustrating another variant of the air handling unit connection (connection with two simple ducts, one central and the other peripheral); [ Fig. 14 ] is a top elevation view of the heat pump system shown figure 13 , in its assembled state; [ Fig. 15A ] is a partial cross-sectional view along GG of the system represented figure 14 ; Fig. 15B ] is a partial cross-sectional view along HH of the system represented figure 14 ; Fig. 16A ] And [ Fig. 16B ] are schematic perspective views, in the assembled and exploded states, of a heat pump system equipped with an air handling unit according to an example of a second embodiment of the invention (discoidal-shaped air handling unit with four double openings); [ Fig. 17 ] is a view similar to that of the figure 16B , the air handling unit being devoid of the first external body; Fig. 18A] et [Fig. 18B ] are exploded perspective views of the heat pump system similar to that of the figure 16B illustrating two possible variants of connecting the air handling unit (respectively with four coaxial ducts and with two single ducts); [ Fig. 19 ] is an exploded view of the air handling unit shown figure 1 à 3 , in accordance with an advantageous constructive and assembly variant of the first and second hollow bodies; [ Fig.20A] et [Fig. 20B ] are perspective views from above and below of the second internal body forming part of the casing shown figure 19 ; Fig. 21 ] is a perspective view of the case shown figure 19 , in accordance with a connection configuration; [ Fig. 22 ] is a cross-sectional view of the case shown figure 21 , but in its assembled state, according to a plane containing the central longitudinal axis of the main tubular segment of its second internal hollow body; Fig. 23], [Fig. 24 ] And [ Fig. 25 ] are schematic cross-sectional and elevational views of three other embodiments of an air box according to the invention, on which all the openings of the boxes are represented.

[0008] THE figures 1 à 25 illustrate, at least in part, an aerodynamic housing (1) for the circulation of two separate airflows (FA1 and FA2), comprising a first closed hollow body (2) whose wall (3) is provided with at least three first openings (4, 4', 4") to the outside oriented in at least two different directions and / or arranged on at least two different sides of said first hollow body (2).

[0009] Such a housing (1) is typically intended to be associated with a heat pump system or device (11), either by integration during the construction of the heat pump, or by subsequent mounting, either at the factory or on the installation site, in the form of an add-on housing, manufactured separately and preferably mounted on top of the heat pump.

[0010] According to the invention, said aerodynamic housing (1) comprises a second closed hollow body (5), located in the internal volume (2') of the first closed hollow body (2) and forming with the latter a set of two hollow bodies (2 and 5) nested one inside the other, with a first external hollow body (2) and a second internal hollow body (5) which define between them an interstitial volume (1'); moreover, this second internal hollow body (5) has at least three openings (6), or second openings, which open to the outside through the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2), and at least one among the second openings (6) open at the level and inside one of the first openings (4), forming at least one double or coaxial structure opening (7).

[0011] Thanks to these features, the invention addresses the main requirements previously stated in relation to the stated objective and offers a solution consistent with the principal advantages envisaged. In particular, with a prefabricated enclosure (1) having at least three initial openings and at least three secondary openings, the installer has several predefined connection options at the installation site, sufficient as such (allowing for the possibility of several standardized enclosure designs and selection of the enclosure best suited to the circumstances encountered on site), or requiring only limited adjustments at most. Furthermore, with a second hollow body (5) entirely contained within the first hollow body (2), the overall size of the enclosure (1) is limited and, above all, clearly and definitively defined from the outset.Furthermore, in terms of versatility, the connection / joining interfaces constituted by the first and second openings are all at least substantially located within the surface or plane of the respective wall portions (3) of the external hollow body (2) and are distributed over said wall (3). These connection / joining interfaces can be of the simple type (only second opening 6 or only first opening 4) for a connection with a single or monotube duct of suitable diameter (14 or 14'), or of the coaxial, double or concentric type (second opening 6 located in a first opening 4) for a connection with a double coaxial or concentric duct (15) (when both passage sections 8 and 8' are clear), or with a single duct (14 or 14') (when one of the two passage sections 8 and 8' is closed).

[0012] The second internal hollow body (5) which connects the said at least three secondary openings (6) includes at least one bifurcation, defining at least three portions of paths connected to each other and each leading to one of the said three secondary openings (6).

[0013] In accordance with a first feature of the invention and as can be seen from the drawings attached by way of example, the or each double opening (7) delimits two separate and mutually independent passage sections (8 and 8') at the level of the wall (3) of the first hollow body (2), namely a central passage section (8) corresponding to a second opening (6) and a peripheral passage section (8'), extending around the central passage section (8) and corresponding to the remaining passage section of the first opening (4) in which said second opening (6) is disposed.

[0014] The two concentric openings (4 and 6) are advantageously arranged in the same plane, advantageously that of the face or local region of the wall (3). Alternatively, they can also be at least slightly offset from each other, with for example the inner or smaller diameter opening (6) located slightly recessed, towards the inside of the first hollow body (2), relative to the outer or larger diameter opening (4) which surrounds it, formed in the wall (3).

[0015] The double or coaxial configuration openings (7) each allow two-way circulation when both passage sections (8 and 8') are clear (for example: flow FA1 entering the interstitial space 1' and flow FA2 exiting the internal volume of the second internal hollow body 5), or one-way circulation for only one of the two flows (FA1 and FA2) when one of these two passage sections (8 and 8') is closed.

[0016] In accordance with possible advantageous embodiments of the invention, schematically represented and in minimal versions of figures 23 à 25 , the case (1) includes at least two double apertures (7), and / or, at least two first apertures (4, 4', 4") and at least two second apertures (6) which are not part of a double aperture (7).

[0017] As illustrated by examples in the figures 3 , 5 , 8 , 12 , 15 And 22 à 25 , the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2) has a first opening (4') into which no second opening (6) opens, thus forming a simple opening, and in that one of the second openings (6) is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge with another first opening (4") at the level of said wall (3), thus also forming a simple opening.

[0018] According to a contraction variant that can lead to improved heat exchange in the heat pump system to which it is associated, the interstitial volume (1') can be configured and its cross-sections can be such that it constitutes a decompression chamber for the airflow (FA1) passing through it. The first opening (4'), into which no second opening (6) leads, advantageously constitutes an outlet opening for this airflow (FA1). Such an arrangement limits the flow velocity of said airflow (FA1), exiting the first external hollow body (2) of the casing (1) and entering the heat pump through this first opening (4'), and thus promotes the efficiency of heat exchange.This improvement in the airflow to the heat exchanger can be even greater when the air inlet (12) of the heat pump is equipped with deflectors or grilles to eliminate or limit turbulence in the airflow. Furthermore, the noise generated by the air circulation within the heat pump is also significantly reduced by this improvement.

[0019] Of course, many different forms of construction can be envisaged for the first and second openings (4 and 6) as well as for the double openings (7), both in terms of the shapes of the sections, their arrangements relative to the wall (3) or the arrangement of said openings with each other.

[0020] However, according to a preferred construction variant, shown in the attached figures, at least the first and second openings (4 and 6), which together form one or more double openings (7), are circular or elliptical in shape, arranged concentrically, and define, at the location of each double opening (7) in the wall (3), a central passage section (8) of discoidal or elliptical shape and a peripheral passage section (8') of annular shape. Of course, the first and second openings (4 and 6) may also have other shapes (polygonal in particular), while maintaining the concentric arrangement and the definition of the two central and peripheral passage sections.

[0021] Advantageously, the second internal hollow body (5) defines a circulation circuit for one (FA2) of the two airflows (FA1 and FA2), and another circulation circuit for the other (FA1) of the two airflows (FA1 and FA2) is defined in the interstitial volume (1') between said second internal hollow body (5) and the first external hollow body (2). The two circulation circuits are mutually independent and have at least partially antagonistic or opposing directions of flow on either side of the wall of the second hollow body (5). Thus, the internal volume (2') accommodates two different and completely separate airflow circulations, each able to enter and exit said volume in different and opposite directions, as a single flow (openings 4, 4', 4" and 6) or two antagonistic flows (openings 7).

[0022] By defining multidirectional airflow paths for both flows (FA1 and FA2), it is possible to eliminate the need for the usual separate connecting parts (air vents, elbows, etc.) to link the heat pump to the air inlets and outlets of the room in which it is installed. This results in a smaller, or even optimized, overall footprint and a less cumbersome, less complicated, and faster installation.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment allowing to further increase the versatility and adaptability of the housing (1), by increasing its constructive variability, it may be provided that the circulation circuits of the two air flows (FA1 and FA2) are configurable by means of covers or lids (10, 10', 10") of partial or total closure of one or more of the double openings (7).

[0024] In a variant of this embodiment, the edges (9, 9') respectively of the first openings (4) and of the second openings (6) forming by association double openings (7) include means adapted for mounting, advantageously with locking in the mounted position, of covers or lids (10, 10', 10") for the partial or total closing of the double opening (7) concerned, namely, either of the central passage section (8) associated with the second opening (6), or of the peripheral passage section (8') associated with the first opening (4) or simultaneously of the two passage sections (8 and 8') mentioned above.

[0025] The means adapted to the edges (9, 9') for mounting covers or caps (10, 10', 10") for partially or totally closing the double opening (7) may, for example, consist of internal threads adapted to cooperate with adapted peripheral threads of the covers or caps (10, 10', 10"), as shown by way of example in the figures 19 à 22 .

[0026] The edges (9, 9') can alternatively also include shoulders into which are fitted complementary shoulders of the covers or lids (10, 10', 10") for partial or total sealing, the fitting being able to be locked by gluing or welding.

[0027] Each total-covering cover (10") for the double openings (7) can be made of two separable parts, forming respectively a central, disc-shaped cover (10) and a peripheral, ring-shaped cover (10'). Practically, these two parts can be molded from a single piece and connected by easily breakable material bridges. Alternatively, they can consist of two separate parts (disc + ring) screwed together.

[0028] In accordance with a preferred practical construction, the second internal hollow body (5) has a tubular structure formed of several segments (5', 5") connected together and including unconnected free ends which have the second openings (6), for example a tubular structure with a main tubular segment (5') open at both ends and secondary tubular segments (5"), the latter being assembled radially with the main segment (5'), being advantageously distributed around the latter, with different orientations.

[0029] According to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figures 1A, 1B , 2 à 15 And 20 à 22 , the first external hollow body (2) has a parallelepiped shape, for example cubic or rectangular, the double opening(s) (7) being located, preferably each, on one of the faces of this parallelepiped hollow body (2).

[0030] In this case, the housing (1) preferably has at least two, advantageously at least three, possibly at least four, double openings (7), located on different faces of the first external hollow body (2), preferably respectively on two, three or four of the faces of a first hollow body (2) of parallelepiped shape.

[0031] Alternatively, a given outer face of the housing (1) may also include at least two double openings (7), or none, and / or one or more single openings in the form of first(s) (4) and / or second(s) (6) opening(s).

[0032] According to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figures 16 à 19 , the first external hollow body (2) has a discoidal or hemispherical shape and in that said housing (1) has at least two, advantageously at least three, possibly at least four, double openings (7), for example oriented in different directions on the peripheral face of said first external hollow body (2).

[0033] In accordance with an alternative embodiment allowing mounting on the upper part of a heat pump system (11) having inlet (or supply) (12) and outlet (or discharge) (13) openings at this level, it may be provided that the first opening (4') into which no second opening (6) leads and the first opening (4") with which one of the second openings (6) is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge, are both located on the same face of the first external hollow body (2), forming the lower face of the housing (1) intended to be secured with a heat pump system (11).

[0034] To provide an additional possibility of adjusting the positions / orientations of the first and second openings (4, 6) that can be connected to the outside (i.e., not connected to the heat pump system on which the housing is mounted), it may be provided that the second opening (6), which is coincident and peripherally connected edge-to-edge with a first opening (4"), defines a central axis of rotation (AR) allowing adjustment of the orientation of the housing (1) relative to the heat pump system (11) when it is mounted on the latter, the first external hollow body (2) advantageously having a symmetrical structure around this axis (AR), preferably with the first external hollow body (2) having a discoidal or hemispherical shape ( figures 16 à 18 ).

[0035] This feature of the invention thus makes it possible, for a given construction of the housing (1), to achieve an optimal radial orientation of the latter and to have a wide range of connection configurations. The first outlet opening (4') of the housing (1) for the flow (FA1) and the air inlet (12) of the heat pump system (11) are arranged and configured such that they are, at least over a predetermined angular range of rotation around the axis (AR), at least partially coincident to allow the passage of the air flow (FA1), while achieving a sealed interface between the housing (1) and the system (11).

[0036] THE figures 20 à 22 illustrate by way of non-limiting example (for a rectangular parallelepiped case) a possible practical realization of the case (1) in several parts facilitating its manufacture, while allowing to result in a case (1) presenting all the aforementioned advantages and being able to present variable configurations, in particular in relation to different shapes of the second internal hollow body (5).

[0037] In accordance with this design, the first external hollow body (2), preferably parallelepiped in shape, comprises two constituent parts (16 and 16') assembled together in an airtight manner, namely, advantageously, a first part (16) defining the internal volume (2') of the casing (1) and open on one face, and a second part (16') forming a lid and sealing the open face of the first part (16). The second internal hollow body (5) is held in position within the internal volume (2') of the first external hollow body (2), preferably by mechanical support and wedging between said two constituent parts (16 and 16'). By proposing an internal hollow body (5) manufactured separately, in one piece, and then mounted in the first external hollow body (2) in two parts, numerous variations are possible, while maintaining a similar manufacturing method.

[0038] Advantageously, the first part (16) of the first external hollow body (2) and the second internal hollow body (5) comprise assembly sites (17 and 17') respectively cooperating in pairs to form a mechanically engaged joint by cooperating pair, for example by mutually cooperating by snap-fitting and advantageously forming a ball joint each time, said second internal hollow body (5) further comprising studs (18) bearing against the inner face of the second part (16') of the first external hollow body (2) to help to lock the second internal hollow body (5) in position within the first external hollow body (2) and to lock the mechanically engaged joints (17 and 17') by counter-support.

[0039] In order to facilitate the assembly of the parts and simultaneously ensure precise mounting, the second internal hollow body (5) and the first part (16) of the first external hollow body (2) have mutually cooperating means (19, 19') which together form a sliding connection, for example respectively at least two pads (19) and at least two slides (19') which cooperatively form at least two pad / slide connections, configured and arranged to allow guided sliding introduction of said second internal hollow body (5) into said first part (16) until it reaches its mounting position in the latter.

[0040] The invention also relates, as shown by the figures 1 , 2 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 13 And 16 à 18 , a heat pump system (11) comprising an air inlet (12) and an air outlet (13).

[0041] This system (11) is characterized in that it is equipped with an air box (1) for air circulation as described above, this box (1) being constructively integrated into said system (11) or attached to the casing or housing (11") of said system (11), for example mounted on the upper part thereof, and connected to said air inlet (12) and outlet (13), as a device preferably configurable to convey and direct the incoming (FA1) and outgoing (FA2) airflows of said system (11), in the same direction or in different directions, where appropriate in opposite directions and / or different orientations.

[0042] Advantageously, two (4', 4") among the first openings (4, 4' and 4") in the wall (3) of said first external hollow body (2) of the air box (1) are respectively connected one (4") to the air outlet (13)-concomitantly with a second opening (6)- and the other (4') to the air inlet (12), these first two openings (4' and 4") being located on the same face of the first external hollow body (2), in particular when the air box (1) is attached to the casing or housing (11") of the system (11).

[0043] In order to avoid a decrease in the performance of the heat pump system (11), the construction of the wall of the second hollow body (5), in terms of material and / or structure, has thermal insulation properties so as to limit or minimize heat exchange between the two air flows (FA1 and FA2), the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2) advantageously also having a construction with thermal insulation properties.

[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the system (11) intended in particular for certain types of on-site installation, the casing or the casing (11") has an installation face (11') against or on a wall, the air box (1) mounted on this casing (11"), in the upper part of the system (1), not having any opening (4, 4', 4", 6 or 7) on the side of this face (11').

[0045] As shown in the attached figures, the housing (1) advantageously has a shape in accord and in continuity with the shape of the envelope or casing (11") of the system (11) on which it is mounted in the upper part and with which it forms a sealed interface of double fluidic connection (4' and 12, 5 and 13).

[0046] In accordance with an advantageous constructive variant of the invention in terms of possible connection configurations, and as illustrated by way of example on the figures 16 à 18 for a discoidal configuration of the housing (1), it may be provided that the air outlet (13), or discharge outlet, preferably arranged in a central manner with respect to the upper part of the casing or housing (11"), has a nozzle or collar (13') intended to engage in the second opening (6) which is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge with a first opening (4") of the housing (1), the two (6 and 13') having a circular shape, the air inlet (12) advantageously having an elongated shape with an extension along an arc of a circle around said nozzle or collar (13').

[0047] When at least two, or even more, heat pump systems (11) are implemented jointly (collective installation), it may be advantageous to share their air inlets and / or air outlets.

[0048] In this scenario, the invention may provide that the integrated or added air box (1) of a given heat pump system (11) is connected, by a simple duct (14, 14') or a coaxial duct (15), with at least one other air box (1) of another heat pump system (11).

[0049] In particular in relation to the figures 20 à 22 , the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an air box (1) as described above.

[0050] This process is characterized in that it consists of separately manufacturing a first constituent part (16) of the first external hollow body (2), which delimits a cavity, a second constituent part (16') of the first external hollow body (2) and a second internal hollow body (5), advantageously with a tubular structure; mounting said second internal hollow body (5) in said first constituent part (16) of the first external hollow body (2); then assembling the second constituent part (16') with the first constituent part (16) to form the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2) and to delimit the internal volume (2') of the latter, and finally, where appropriate, carrying out an additional bonding and / or sealing operation between said first and second parts (16 and 16').

[0051] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Air handling unit (1) for the circulation of two separate airflows (FA1 and FA2), comprising a first closed hollow body (2) whose wall (3) is provided with at least three first openings (4, 4', 4") to the outside oriented in at least two different directions and / or arranged on at least two different sides of said first hollow body (2), unit (1) characterized in that it includes a second closed hollow body (5), located in the internal volume (2') of the first closed hollow body (2) and forming with the latter a set of two hollow bodies (2 and 5) nested one inside the other, with a first external hollow body (2) and a second internal hollow body (5) which define between them an interstitial volume (1'), in that This second internal hollow body (5) has at least three openings (6), or second openings, which lead to the outside through the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2), and in thatat least one of the second openings (6) leads to the level and inside one of the first openings (4), forming at least one double or coaxial structure opening (7).

2. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each double opening (7) delimits two separate and mutually independent passage sections (8 and 8') at the level of the wall (3) of the first hollow body (2), namely a central passage section (8) corresponding to a second opening (6) and a peripheral passage section (8'), extending around the central passage section (8) and corresponding to the remaining passage section of the first opening (4) in which said second opening (6) is disposed.

3. Housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatit includes at least two double openings (7), and / or, at least two first openings (4, 4', 4") and at least two second openings (6) which are not part of a double opening (7).

4. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2) has a first opening (4') into which no second opening (6) leads, thus forming a simple opening, and in that one of the second openings (6) is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge with another first opening (4") at the level of said wall (3), thus also forming a simple opening.

5. Housing according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe interstitial volume (1') has a configuration and passage sections such that it constitutes a decompression chamber for the airflow (FA1) which passes through it, the first opening (4') into which no second opening (6) leads advantageously constituting an outlet opening for this airflow (FA1).

6. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least the first and second openings (4 and 6) which form by association and mutual imbrication one or more double openings (7), have a circular or elliptical shape, are arranged concentrically with each other and define at the location of each double opening (7) in the wall (3) a central passage section (8) of discoidal or elliptical shape and a peripheral passage section (8') of annular shape.

7. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe second internal hollow body (5) defines a circulation circuit for one (FA2) of the two airflows (FA1 and FA2) and in that another circulation circuit for the other (FA1) of the two airflows (FA1 and FA2) is defined in the interstitial volume (1') between said second internal hollow body (5) and the first external hollow body (2), the two circulation circuits being mutually independent and having at least partially antagonistic or opposite directions of circulation on either side of the wall of the second hollow body (5).

8. Housing according to claim 7, characterized in that the circulation circuits of the two airflows (FA1 and FA2) are configurable by means of covers or lids (10, 10', 10") for partial or total closure of one or more of the double openings (7).

9. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in thatthe edges (9, 9') respectively of the first openings (4) and of the second openings (6) forming by association double openings (7) have means adapted for the mounting, advantageously with locking in the mounted position, of covers or lids (10, 10', 10") for the partial or total closing of the double opening (7) concerned, namely, either of the central passage section (8) associated with the second opening (6), or of the peripheral passage section (8') associated with the first opening (4) or even simultaneously of the two passage sections (8 and 8') mentioned above.

10. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatthe second internal hollow body (5) has a tubular structure formed of several segments (5', 5") connected together and including unconnected free ends which have the second openings (6), for example a tubular structure with a main tubular segment (5') open at both ends and secondary tubular segments (5"), the latter being assembled radially with the main segment (5'), being advantageously distributed around the latter, with different orientations.

11. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first external hollow body (2) has a parallelepiped shape, for example cubic or rectangular, the double opening(s) (7) being located, preferably each, on one of the faces of this parallelepiped hollow body (2).

12. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in thatit comprises at least two, advantageously at least three, possibly at least four, double openings (7), located on different faces of the first external hollow body (2), preferably respectively on two, three or four of the faces of a first hollow body (2) of parallelepiped shape.

13. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first external hollow body (2) has a discoidal or hemispherical shape and in that said housing (1) has at least two, advantageously at least three, possibly at least four, double openings (7), for example oriented in different directions on the peripheral face of said first external hollow body (2).

14. Housing according to claim 4 or any one of claims 11 to 13, provided that it relates to claim 4, characterized in thatthe first opening (4') into which no second opening (6) leads and the first opening (4") with which one of the second openings (6) is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge, are both located on the same face of the first external hollow body (2), forming the lower face of the housing (1) intended to be joined with a heat pump system (11).

15. Housing according to claim 4 or any one of claims 11 to 14, provided that it relates to claim 4, characterized in thatthe second opening (6) which is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge with a first opening (4") defines a central axis of rotation (AR) allowing adjustment of the orientation of the housing (1) relative to the heat pump system (11) when mounted on the latter, the first external hollow body (2) advantageously having a symmetrical structure around this axis (AR), preferably with the first external hollow body (2) having a discoidal or hemispherical shape.

16. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in thatthe first external hollow body (2), preferably of parallelepiped shape, comprises two constituent parts (16 and 16') assembled together in an airtight manner, namely advantageously a first part (16) defining the internal volume (2') of the housing (1) and open on one face and a second part (16') forming a cover and closing the open face of the first part (16), the second internal hollow body (5) being held in position in the internal volume (2') of the first external hollow body (2) preferably by support and mechanical wedging between said two constituent parts (16 and 16').

17. Housing according to claim 16, characterized in thatthe first part (16) of the first external hollow body (2) and the second internal hollow body (5) include assembly sites (17 and 17') respectively cooperating in pairs to form a mechanically engaged joint by cooperating pair, for example by mutually cooperating by snap-fitting and advantageously forming a ball joint each time, said second internal hollow body (5) further comprising studs (18) bearing against the internal face of the second part (16') of the first external hollow body (2) to help to lock the second internal hollow body (5) in position within the first external hollow body (2) and to lock the mechanically engaged joints (17 and 17') by counter-support.

18. Housing according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in thatthe second internal hollow body (5) and the first part (16) of the first external hollow body (2) comprise mutually cooperating means (19, 19') forming together a sliding connection, for example respectively at least two pads (19) and at least two slides (19') forming by cooperation at least two pad / slide connections, configured and arranged to allow guided sliding introduction of said second internal hollow body (5) into said first part (16) until its mounting position in the latter.

19. Heat pump system (11) comprising an air inlet (12) and an air outlet (13), characterized in thatIt is equipped with an air box (1) for air circulation according to any one of claims 1 to 18, this box (1) being constructively integrated into said system (11) or attached to the casing or housing (11") of said system (11), for example mounted on the upper part thereof, and connected to said air inlet (12) and outlet (13), as a device preferably configurable to convey and direct the incoming (FA1) and outgoing (FA2) airflows of said system (11), in the same direction or in different directions, where appropriate in opposite directions and / or different orientations.

20. Heat pump system (11) according to claim 19, characterized in thattwo (4', 4") among the first openings (4, 4' and 4") in the wall (3) of said first external hollow body (2) of the air box (1) are respectively connected one to the air outlet (13) and the other to the air inlet (12), these first two openings (4' and 4") being located on the same face of the first external hollow body (2), in particular when the air box (1) is attached to the casing or housing (11") of the system (11).

21. Heat pump system (11) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the constitution of the wall of the second hollow body (5), in terms of material and / or structure, has thermal insulation properties so as to limit or minimize heat exchange between the two air flows (FA1 and FA2), the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2) advantageously also having a constitution with thermal insulation properties.

22. Heat pump system (11) according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the casing or casing (11") has an installation face (11') against or on a wall, the air box (1) mounted on this casing (11"), in the upper part of the system (1), not having any opening (4, 4', 4", 6 or 7) on the side of this face (11').

23. Heat pump system (11) according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in thatthe air outlet (13), preferably arranged centrally with respect to the upper part of the casing or housing (11"), has a nozzle or collar (13') intended to engage in the second opening (6) which is coincident and peripherally connected edge to edge with a first opening (4") of the housing (1), the two (6 and 13') having a circular shape, the air inlet (12) advantageously having an elongated shape with an extension along an arc of a circle around said nozzle or collar (13').

24. Heat pump system (11) according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that its integrated or added air box (1) is connected, by a simple duct (14, 14') or a coaxial duct (15), with at least one other air box (1) of another heat pump system (11).

25. Method for manufacturing an air handling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that It consists of separately manufacturing a first constituent part (16) of the first external hollow body (2), which delimits a cavity, a second constituent part (16') of the first external hollow body (2) and a second internal hollow body (5), advantageously with a tubular structure; mounting said second internal hollow body (5) in said first constituent part (16) of the first external hollow body (2); then assembling the second constituent part (16') with the first constituent part (16) to form the wall (3) of the first external hollow body (2) and to delimit the internal volume (2') of the latter, and finally, where appropriate, carrying out an additional linking and / or sealing operation between said first and second parts (16 and 16').

Images