Compact combined system comprising a heat pump and at least two storages for sanitary water

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a combined system (1) adapted to serve a thermal system (4) for indoor heating and / or cooling and / or a sanitary system (4') for the preparation of sanitary water comprising at least a heat pump (2), at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) for the preparation and storage of said sanitary water to be allocated to a user and a connection kit (5) capable of hydraulically and functionally connecting said heat pump (2) and said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V).

Description

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The object of the present invention is a combined system of reduced overall dimensions for indoor heating / cooling and / or for the production of sanitary water, said combined system comprising a thermal generator and one or more storage tanks for the sanitary water, preferably at least two storage tanks.

[0002] A further object of the present invention is a combined system for indoor heating / cooling and / or for the production of sanitary water, comprising a thermal generator, preferably a heat pump, and one or more storage tanks for said sanitary water, preferably at least two storage tanks, which allows preserving the thermal stratification of said sanitary water inside said storage tanks.

[0003] The invention preferably falls within the sector of the "combined systems" adapted to serve a thermal system for indoor heating and / or cooling and / or for the production of sanitary hot water, particularly in those systems comprising a thermal generator, preferably a heat pump, and at least one storage tank (hereinafter briefly referred to as "storage") for the preparation and / or storage of sanitary water, hydraulically and electronically coupled to each other.

[0004] Systems are known that use a heat pump to heat a technical fluid, for example technical water, intended to supply, driven by at least a circulation pump, the terminals (radiators, radiant panels, fan coils, etc.) of an indoor heating / cooling system, but also capable of preparing sanitary water, generally contained inside one or more storages in series or parallel with each other, intended to supply a user. An example of such a configuration is described in document EP 0 330 648 A2.

[0005] Generally, both the storages and the heat pump, or at least the indoor unit thereof (also known as IDU), are positioned and installed for convenience or necessity into an internal environment of a residential or commercial building, for example, in a room thereof, in a basement, an attic, or in a technical room. Hereinafter, the environment in which the heat pump, or at least the IDU thereof, and / or said storages are positioned, shall be referred to as, for the sake of brevity, "installation environment" or "internal environment".

[0006] Since such components of the combined system typically have considerable overall dimensions, it is sometimes very complicated to find an installation environment sufficiently large to accommodate them in a home or commercial building.

[0007] Such a drawback is particularly felt especially in homes of reduced dimensions and measurements or in those buildings already constructed but undergoing renovation.

[0008] Furthermore, the current storages and / or heat pump of a combined system are generally of the "floor-standing" type, i.e., they may be positioned directly on the floor of the installation environment and with a substantially vertical setup and development, and / or integrated solutions such as that shown in document DE 20 2015 107108 U1, which combines both the heat pump and at least a storage for the sanitary water in a single structure.

[0009] While these types of installation are stable and safe for a user inside the installation environment, they limit the surface thereof that may be walked on or used for other purposes, further restricting already cramped spaces and environments.

[0010] It is also known that the thermal stratification is desired to be maintained inside one or more storages, preserving the natural tendency of the heated sanitary water to settle in layers at different temperatures. In particular, this stratification allows for obtaining lower temperatures in the lower part of the storage and progressively higher temperatures as one ascends towards the upper part. For such purpose, various methods and systems have been developed; for example, some focus on tank optimisation through variable-thickness insulation, others on a more precise control of the charge by means of delivery sensors that regulate the circulation pump, as described in US 2024 / 125560 A1 and CH 692 824 A5, respectively. Not all the combined systems currently in use are able to achieve and / or maintain an efficient thermal stratification of the water in the storages thereof.

[0011] They also do not take into account other fundamental aspects, among which there are the heating speed of the sanitary water up to a desired or user-defined temperature and the efficiency of the heat pump, which directly affects the energy consumptions and the overall performance of the system.

[0012] It is known that the availability of sanitary hot water and the efficiency of the heat pump heating it are often conflicting needs. To ensure a rapid delivery of water at the desired temperature, it is necessary that the sanitary water heating inside the storage takes place in the shortest time possible. However, the efficiency and performance of the heat pump improve when the heating process takes place slowly and gradually. Therefore, a rapid heating favours the immediate availability of hot water, but at the expense of the energy efficiency of the heat pump, and therefore of the combined system as a whole.

[0013] The prior art addresses said "conflict" between the comfort and efficiency needs by means of dedicated system configurations (NO 326 274 B1) and / or complex control logics (US 9 920 967 B2). The object of the present invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks by proposing a combined system for indoor heating / cooling and / or for the production of sanitary water, comprising a thermal generator, preferably a heat pump, and one or more storages for the sanitary water, preferably at least two storages, having reduced overall dimensions and allowing for a more flexible and optimised use of the installation space.

[0014] A further object of the present invention, at least for some executive variants thereof, is to provide for a combined system that is easy to carry and install.

[0015] A further object of the present invention, at least for some executive variants thereof, is to provide for a combined system capable of preserving both the thermal stratification in said storages and the efficiency of said thermal generator, while simultaneously ensuring the quicker availability of said sanitary water at the temperature desired or required by a user.

[0016] These and other objects, which shall appear clear hereinafter, are achieved with a combined system for indoor heating / cooling and / or the production of sanitary water, comprising a thermal generator, preferably a heat pump, and one or more storages for the sanitary water, preferably at least two storages, according to the provisions of the independent claims.

[0017] Other objects may also be achieved by means of the additional features of the dependent claims.

[0018] More precisely, these and other objects are achieved with a combined system adapted to serve a thermal system for indoor heating and / or cooling and / or a sanitary system for the preparation of sanitary water, comprising at least a heat pump for heating or cooling a technical fluid adapted to circulate in said thermal system, at least two storages for the preparation and storage of said sanitary water to be allocated to a user and at least a sanitary exchanger in which the thermal exchange between said technical fluid and said sanitary water takes place.

[0019] The combined system further comprises at least a first switching valve capable of converting the operation of said combined system from an indoor heating and / or cooling mode to a sanitary mode, and vice versa.

[0020] An inlet of said first switching valve is connected and in fluid communication with a delivery pipe of said heat pump, whereas its two outlets are configured to be connected and in fluid communication with a delivery duct of said thermal system and said sanitary exchanger respectively.

[0021] Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, according to the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawing tables, wherein: Figure 1 schematically shows a combined system comprising a heat pump and a single storage for the sanitary water according to a first possible executive embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a combined system comprising a heat pump and a pair of storages for the sanitary water according to a second possible executive embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 schematically shows a combined system comprising a heat pump and a pair of storages for the sanitary water according to a third possible executive embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 schematically shows a combined system comprising a heat pump and a pair of storages for sanitary water according to a fourth possible executive embodiment of the invention;

[0022] The features of one or more preferred variants of the combined system of the invention are now described, also using the references contained in the figures. It is further noted that any dimensional and spatial term (such as "lower", "upper", "inner", "outer", "upstream", "downstream" and the like) refers to the positions of the elements as shown in the annexed figures, without any limiting intent relating to the possible operating conditions. With the purpose of highlighting some features instead of others, not necessarily what is described in the annexed drawings is to scale.

[0023] With reference to the annexed figures, numeral 1 therefore shows the combined system of the invention adapted to serve: a thermal system 4 designed for at least the indoor heating or cooling, and / or a sanitary system 4' for the delivery of sanitary hot water intended to a user. Said combined system 1 comprises at least a thermal generator 2, preferably consisting of a heat pump 2, and one or more storage tanks 3 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as "storages 3"), hydraulically connected with each other, intended for the preparation and storage of sanitary water.

[0024] The thermal generator 2, hereinafter referred to as heat pump 2, is therefore designed to manage, as will be described below, both the indoor heating and / or cooling, and the preparation, primarily the heating, of the sanitary water contained in the aforementioned storages 3, ensuring the delivery necessary for one or more withdrawals by a user.

[0025] In general, the heat pump 2 comprises a thermodynamic circuit (the components whereof shall not be described, being well known to a man skilled in the art) wherein a heat exchange takes place between a heat transfer fluid, typically a refrigerating fluid / gas, and a technical fluid circulating at least in the thermal system 4.

[0026] Said technical fluid, appropriately heated or cooled, is therefore capable of performing at least the following functions: indoor heating and / or cooling, through specific terminals of the thermal system 4, such as, by way of a non-limiting intent, radiators, radiant panels, floor radiators, fan coils, or the like, not illustrated, (indoor "heating / cooling mode"); preparation, preferably heating, of the sanitary water contained in the aforementioned one or more storages 3, preferably by means of at least a special heat exchanger 6 ("sanitary mode").

[0027] For clarity, such heat exchanger 6 shall be hereinafter referred to as "sanitary exchanger" 6.

[0028] The heat pump 2 further comprises: a delivery pipe 20 whereby said technical fluid may reach, as shall be seen, the same thermal system 4 and / or the sanitary exchanger 6, a return pipe 21 whereby said technical fluid, after circulating at least in said thermal system 4 and / or sanitary exchanger 6, returns to the heat pump 2 for a subsequent heating or cooling thereof.

[0029] Preferably, said thermal system 4 may comprise at least: a supply duct 40 of the technical fluid (hereinafter also referred to as "delivery duct 40"), connected to the heat pump 2. Through this duct, the technical fluid, appropriately heated or cooled by the heat pump 2, is conveyed towards the terminals intended to heat or cool the environments; a return duct 41 that drives the technical fluid returning from the heating or cooling terminals to the heat pump 2. This technical fluid, after releasing or absorbing heat to / from the surrounding environment via the terminals, is reintroduced into the circuit to be re-treated by the heat pump 2.

[0030] Preferably, said sanitary system 4' comprises: at least a duct 41' for withdrawing sanitary water from the aforementioned one or more storages 3, suitably "prepared" (usually, heated to the desired temperature), intended to meet one or more requirements from at least one user. For simplicity, such a duct shall be referred to as the "withdrawal duct" 41'; an inlet duct 40' for the aqueduct cold water, used to supply, generally following a withdrawal or during the initial filling, at least one of the aforementioned one or more storages 3. For simplicity, such a duct shall be referred to as "make-up duct" 40'.

[0031] The delivery duct 40 and the return duct 41 of the thermal system 4 are fluidically connected, in a known manner, to the aforementioned delivery 20 and return pipes 21 of the heat pump 2, respectively.

[0032] According to the invention, the heat pump 2, preferably of the air-to-water type, may be indifferently be either of the "monoblock" type, installable both indoor and outdoor, or of the "split" type. The thermodynamic circuit of the heat pump 2, together with the relating components well known to the men skilled in the art, may be partly contained in an indoor unit (IDU) located in the installation environment (e.g., in a room or technical room of a residential or commercial building), and partly in an outdoor unit (ODU) located outside the same environment.

[0033] For the purposes of the invention, nothing prevents said heat pump 2 from also consisting of the heat pump of a hybrid system (not shown) which, as is known, combines said heat pump for indoor heating / cooling to a boiler to supplement and / or replace the operation thereof under particular operating and / or environmental conditions, and / or for the production of sanitary hot water.

[0034] Nothing also prevents said heat pump 2 from being of any other known type, for example of the water-to-water, geothermal, helio-assisted type, or the like, just as it may be replaced by more "traditional" thermal generators, for example by a fuel boiler, preferably condensing, a biomass boiler, or the like.

[0035] As already partly highlighted, it is reiterated that the heat pump 2 of the combined system 1 of the invention is designed to operate not only in heating mode for the environment and / or sanitary water, but also in indoor cooling mode.

[0036] The thermodynamic circuit of the heat pump 2 may therefore include also a switching valve, for example a 4-way valve (not illustrated), which, as is known, allows the thermodynamic cycle to be reversed and to switch from the heating to the cooling mode, and vice versa.

[0037] When the heat pump 2 operates in cooling mode, the heat exchangers that, in heating mode, act as condensers will function as evaporators, while those that operate as evaporators will be converted into condensers (and vice versa). In such a case, the terminals of the thermal system 4, instead of heating the environment wherein they are installed, will allow for the cooling thereof.

[0038] Hereinafter, unless otherwise indicated, explicit reference shall be made to a combined system 1 operating in heating mode for the environment and / or the sanitary water. However, all the considerations relating to this operating mode may be advantageously extended also to the cooling mode, thanks to the aforementioned possibility of reversing the thermodynamic cycle of the heat pump 2.

[0039] For simplicity of description, at least initially, reference shall also be made to one or more storages 3 designed for being installed in a vertical position, i.e., developing predominantly in height, both as self-supporting (free-standing) and wall-mounted units. However, as shall be explained, this is not the only one installation method.

[0040] Preferably, said one or more storages 3 may be of the "flat" type, i.e., characterised by one predominant dimension than the other two. In particular, the longitudinal dimension (height) is preferred to be significantly greater than the transverse ones (width and / or thickness / depth), preferably at least double. This allows said one or more storages 3 to be installed also according to a substantially horizontal, rather than vertical, setup, for example, by fixing them to the wall or ceiling of the installation environment.

[0041] For greater clarity, the one or more storages 3 of the combined system 1 of the invention may have a cylindrical shape, one of the most common configurations for this type of component, characterised by reduced diameters and considerable heights.

[0042] According to the invention, the heat pump 2 (or at least the indoor unit IDU thereof) and the one or more storages 3 of the combined system 1 are hydraulically and functionally connected and cooperating with each other via a plurality of functional components, which shall now be described. More precisely, without any limiting intent, said functional components may at least comprise: at least a first switching valve 51, preferably a motorised 3-way valve, capable of converting the operation of the combined system 1 between the "indoor heating / cooling mode" and the "sanitary mode", and vice versa, and / or the aforementioned sanitary exchanger 6.

[0043] Although not expressly shown in the annexed figures, said combined system 1 also comprises a control system or control unit designed to at least manage the operation thereof in indoor heating / cooling mode and / or in sanitary mode, by acting, e.g., on the aforementioned switching valve 51.

[0044] More specifically, the switching valve 51 comprises an inlet 510 fluidically connected with said delivery pipe 20 of the heat pump 2, and two outlets 511, 512 configured to be fluidically connected with the delivery duct 40 of the thermal system 4, and with the sanitary exchanger respectively, 6 via an inlet duct 600.

[0045] It is useful to specify that said switching valve 51: in indoor "heating / cooling mode", puts the delivery pipe 20 of the heat pump 2 into fluid communication with said delivery duct 40 of the thermal system 4, in "sanitary mode", connects said delivery pipe 20 of heat pump 2 with the sanitary exchanger 6 designed to heat the sanitary water of said one or more storages 3.

[0046] Nothing prevents the switching valve 51, if of the modulating type, from allowing the combined system 1 to operate simultaneously both in indoor heating mode and in sanitary mode. In such a configuration, the technical fluid treated and exiting from the heat pump 2 may be partially directed to the delivery duct 40, which supplies the terminals of the thermal system 4, and partially diverted to the sanitary exchanger 6 for the preparation of the sanitary water.

[0047] According to a possible executive embodiment of the combined system 1, shown without any limiting intent in figures 1 to 3, said sanitary exchanger 6 may consist of a heat exchanger 6 positioned externally to said one or more storages 3.

[0048] Preferably, said sanitary exchanger 6 may be a plate exchanger, with a first side 60 (referred to as "primary side" 60) that is traversed by the technical fluid from the heat pump 2 via the delivery pipe 20, and a second side 61 (referred to as "secondary side" 61) that is traversed by the sanitary water withdrawn from at least one of the storages 3, thus allowing the heat exchange between the two fluids. Preferably, in the sanitary exchanger 6, the heat exchange between the technical fluid of the heat pump 2 and the sanitary water of the one or more storages 3 takes place in a countercurrent configuration, maximising the thermal efficiency.

[0049] At least the following are connected and insist on the primary side 60 of the sanitary exchanger 6: the aforementioned inlet duct 600, derived by means of the switching valve 51 from the delivery pipe 20 of the heat pump 2, adapted to cause the technical fluid to flow towards the same sanitary exchanger 6; an outlet duct 601 of the technical fluid that connects with the return pipe 21 of the heat pump 2.

[0050] At least the following are instead connected on the secondary side 61 of the sanitary exchanger 6: a supply duct 610 of the sanitary water withdrawn, still substantially cold, from the bottom of at least one of said one or more storages 3 and intended to be heated in the sanitary exchanger 6 by the technical fluid passing through the primary side 60, a charging duct 611 that sends the sanitary water, heated and exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6, into at least one of the one or more storages 3.

[0051] As shown without any limiting intent in the annexed figures 1-3, a circulator 7 may be positioned on the supply duct 610 enabling the sanitary water to be withdrawn from the bottom of at least one of said one or more storages 3 and the circulation thereof towards and through the secondary side 61 of the sanitary exchanger 6.

[0052] The aforementioned functional components, described above, comprising, as seen, at least the switching valve 51 and / or the sanitary exchanger 6 and / or the circulator 7, when provided, may be integrated to the heat pump 2, or at least into the indoor IDU or outdoor ODU unit thereof. However, nothing prevents, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, at least one or more of said components from being part of and / or positioned inside a module or kit 5 intended for the hydraulic and functional connection of said heat pump 2 to said one or more storages 3 (hereinafter referred to as "connection kit" 5).

[0053] Preferably, said connection kit 5 may: comprise therewithin, at least said switching valve 51, and / or be designed for the housing and the passage of at least a section of the delivery 20 and / or return 21 pipes of the heat pump 2 and / or the delivery 40 and / or of the return 41 ducts of the thermal system 4.

[0054] Said connection kit 5 may possibly comprise also the sanitary exchanger 6 and / or the aforementioned control system or control unit of the combined system 1, in case this is not integrated or coincides with that of the heat pump 2 of the combined system 1 or of a supplementary outdoor unit.

[0055] Preferably, said inlet duct 600 and / or outlet duct 601 and / or supply duct 610 and / or charging duct 611 of the sanitary exchanger 6, or at least parts or portions thereof, may also be housed and develop inside the connection kit 5 of the invention.

[0056] As shown in the annexed figures, the connection kit 5 may comprise or consist of a box-shaped body 50 appropriately configured and sized to contain one or more of the aforementioned functional components in the smallest possible space / volume.

[0057] According to the invention, said box-shaped body 50 may consist of a compact body having a substantially parallelepiped geometry.

[0058] According to a preferred variant of the invention, at least said connection kit 5 and said one or more storages 3, especially if of the "flat" type, may be advantageously and suitably housed inside a same containment casing, hereinafter referred to as "body" (not explicitly shown in the annexed figures), which is compact and of reduced thickness. Preferably, said shell provides that at least one of the three dimensions, particularly the thickness thereof, is significantly reduced compared to the other two (width and, in particular, height).

[0059] For example, the thickness of said body may be comprised between 200 mm and 300 mm, preferably about 250 mm, making it suitable, like the heat pump 2, for the installation even in small indoor environments without compromising the use thereof for other purposes.

[0060] The body may possibly house therein also the heat pump 2, or at least the indoor unit IDU thereof.

[0061] It should also be noted that the combined system 1 may include a single storage 3.U, as shown in figure 1, or, as preferred, two or more storages 3.M and 3.V connected in series by means of appropriate connections and dedicated pipes, as illustrated in figures 2, 3, or 4.

[0062] The storages 3.M and 3.V may have equal or different dimensions and volumes. When a single storage 3.U is present, the aqueduct cold water is normally introduced therein through the make-up duct 40' and then, after being withdrawn from the bottom, passed through the external sanitary exchanger 6 to be adequately heated. Once heated, it is then reintroduced into the same storage 3.U via an inlet pipe 8.U connected with the charging duct 611 of the sanitary exchanger 6 and which preferably extends and develops substantially up to the dome of the same storage 3.U or up to an intermediate height between the bottom and the dome.

[0063] The sanitary water, thus heated to the desired temperature, is introduced into the sanitary storage in proximity to the withdrawal duct 41' of the hot water and may be thus made immediately available for one or more withdrawals by a user. Conversely, in a storage equipped with a coil-type sanitary exchanger (commonly used to date for the production of sanitary hot water), the entire volume of water present in the storage is gradually heated. Consequently, the heat introduced is distributed uniformly throughout, or almost entirely, the volume of the storage, making the hot water not immediately available for the sanitary use.

[0064] In case of a connection in series, the first storage 3.M, positioned upstream, receives the aqueduct cold water to be heated via the make-up duct 40', while the second storage 3.V, located downstream, is that normally designed to distribute the sanitary water, appropriately heated, to the users through the withdrawal duct 41'.

[0065] More specifically, in fact, the sanitary exchanger 6 may initially heat the downstream storage 3.V, which acts as a main accumulator, where the sanitary water may be maintained at the highest temperatures. Once the desired temperature is reached, the water may be withdrawn and sent to a user or, especially if there are no withdrawals, transferred to the upstream storage 3.M in a known manner, for example by gravity or via pumps.

[0066] The upstream storage 3.M may therefore act as an extension of the downstream storage 3.V, keeping the sanitary water at a temperature equal to or lower than said storage 3.V; this allows for increasing the total capacity of the system without requiring a single storage of large dimensions.

[0067] According to such a configuration, the downstream storage 3.V may comprise a first inlet pipe 8.V connected with the charging duct 611 of the sanitary exchanger 6 and capable of injecting the water, heated therefrom, in substantial proximity to the dome or at an intermediate height between bottom and dome.

[0068] As illustrated by way of an example in figures 2 and / or 3, the downstream storage 3.V is also connected in series with the upstream storage 3.M via a connection 9 (internal or external to the box-shaped body 50 of the connection kit 5) connected, on one side, with a "priming" pipe 9.V positioned in proximity to or at the bottom of said downstream storage 3.V, and, on the other side, with a specific inlet pipe 8.M, internal to the upstream storage 3.M and sized to extend up to the dome or up to an intermediate height thereof between bottom and dome.

[0069] It should be noted that said pipe 8.M of the upstream storage 3.M, although defined solely for the sake of descriptive simplicity, as an inlet pipe, actually enables at least to: channel the warmer water coming from the downstream storage 3.V into the same storage 3.M, allowing for a progressive heating thereof from top to bottom starting from the dome thereof; or, conversely, withdraw sanitary water directly from the upstream storage 3.M to send it to the downstream storage 3.V, for example to reintegrate therein a quantity of water at least equal to that delivered to a user following a withdrawal.

[0070] Furthermore, nothing prevents the sanitary water heating contained in said the storages 3.V and 3.M, using the heat pump 2 and the sanitary exchanger 6, from being performed also independently with each other. Such an aspect shall be extensively referred to during the present description.

[0071] With reference to the aforementioned possible configurations, the supply duct 610 of the sanitary exchanger 6 is capable of withdrawing sanitary water from the bottom of the storage 3.U or, in case of two storages 3 in series, from the "colder" upstream storage 3.M.

[0072] Similarly, the charging duct 611 is capable of supplying and carrying the water heated and exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6 into the storage 3.U (figure 1) or the downstream storage 3.V (figure 2 or 3), cooperating with the respective inlet pipes 8.U or 8.V with which it is in fluidic connection.

[0073] The configurations just described are those that best preserve and / or guarantee the thermal stratification of the sanitary water contained in the storage 3.U or in the two storages 3.V and 3.M connected in series.

[0074] For the reasons that shall be discussed shortly, the combined system 1 of the invention may provide for and / or cooperate with a plurality of temperature sensors, preferably designed for detecting both the temperature of the sanitary water and the temperature of the technical fluid heated / cooled in the heat pump 2. By way of a non-limiting example, the following may therefore be provided: at least a temperature sensor T ft.i of the technical fluid of the heat pump 2, integrated therein (e.g., in the ODU thereof) or positioned on the delivery pipe 20 thereof; the temperature value read by the sensor T ft.i , especially when integrated into the heat pump 2, may be sent to the control system or control unit of the combined system 1 via bus or similar / equivalent means or communication methods, and / or at least a temperature sensor T acs.i , positioned inside at least one of the one or more storages 3, for the detection of the temperature of the sanitary water contained therein, and / or, possibly, at least a temperature sensor Ts for the detection of the temperature of the sanitary water exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6, more precisely from the secondary side 61 thereof, positioned, for example, along the charging duct 611.

[0075] However, it should be noted that, in accordance with possible executive variants of the invention, said temperature sensor T S may also not be provided; in this case, the control system or control unit of the combined system 1 may simply estimate, using methods known to the man skilled in the art, the temperature of the water exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6.

[0076] Having described the combined system 1 of the invention at least in terms of the main components and parts thereof, it is now possible to describe its operation, both in sanitary mode and in indoor heating / cooling mode.

[0077] In both modes, the technical fluid, generally the technical water circulating in the terminals of the thermal system 4, is appropriately heated or cooled by the heat pump 2, where an appropriate heat exchange takes place between it and the heat transfer fluid, generally a refrigerating fluid / gas, within a special heat exchanger (not shown) of the thermodynamic circuit of the same heat pump 2, which acts as a condenser when an indoor or sanitary water heating is being performed, or as an evaporator when an indoor cooling is being performed.

[0078] Depending on the indoor heating / cooling operating mode, the switching valve 51 of the connection kit 5 of the invention directly puts the delivery pipe 20 of the heat pump 2 into communication with the delivery duct 40 of the thermal system 4, enabling the technical fluid to reach the terminals for indoor heating or cooling. Furthermore, in such an operating configuration, the outlet 511 is open, while the outlet 512 of the switching valve 51 towards the sanitary exchanger 6 is generally completely closed and interdicted.

[0079] In sanitary mode, the switching valve 51 of the connection kit 5 connects the delivery pipe 20 of the heat pump 2 to the primary side 60 of the sanitary exchanger 6 via the inlet duct 600. Here, the heat exchange takes place with the sanitary water, which, once withdrawn, as seen, preferably from the bottom of the storages 3.U (figure 1) or 3.M (figure 2 or 3, variant with storages in series) and moved by the circulator 7, passes in countercurrent through the secondary side 61 of the same exchanger 6.

[0080] In such operating mode, the outlet 512 is open, while the outlet 511 of the switching valve 51 towards the delivery duct 40 of the thermal system 4 is instead generally completely closed and interdicted.

[0081] The sanitary water heated in the sanitary exchanger 6 is then reintroduced, through the respective inlet pipes 8.U or 8.V, into the storage 3.U or the downstream storage 3.V in case of multiple storages in series with each other, wherefrom, according to a possible executive variant: a) in case of a request by a user, and whether the temperature is equal to or greater than a reference temperature for the storage 3.U or 3.V, it may be withdrawn through the withdrawal duct 41' and delivered to the same user, meeting said request, or b) in absence of a withdrawal, or if the temperature, in proximity to the dome, is still lower than said reference temperature, it may be withdrawn again, in the known ways, however described, from the aforementioned storages 3.U or 3.M and recirculated through the sanitary exchanger 6 until said reference temperature is reached.

[0082] For clarity, it is specified that said reference temperature may consist of: the setpoint temperature (less than a hysteresis Δ Hyst ) of the storage 3.U or 3.V, i.e., the temperature that may be set by the manufacturer and / or installer and / or user whereto a storage may be heated / kept, or a sanitary water temperature that may be measured by at least a special temperature sensor T acs.i , for example, preferably positioned in proximity to the dome of the storages 3.U or 3.V and / or 3.V, or by the temperature sensor T S , when provided, preferably positioned, as anticipated, on the supply duct 611 at the outlet of the sanitary exchanger 6, or estimated based on the temperature of the water exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6.

[0083] In case of multiple temperature sensors T acs.i positioned at various heights within the one or more storages 3, the aforementioned reference temperature may consist of an average, preferably weighted, of the temperatures of the sanitary water detected therefrom.

[0084] It is reiterated, as already partially said, that according to point b), in presence of a single storage 3.U, the sanitary water to be recirculated through the sanitary exchanger 6 is withdrawn from the bottom thereof and reintroduced therein through the inlet pipe 8.U.

[0085] Conversely, in case of two storages 3.M and 3.V in series, the sanitary water to be recirculated through the sanitary exchanger 6 until reaching at least the aforementioned reference temperature is withdrawn from the bottom of the upstream storage 3.M and reintroduced into the downstream storage 3.V through the inlet pipe 8.V, while, as anticipated, the pipes 9.V of the downstream storage 3.V and the inlet pipe 8.M of the upstream storage 3.M, via the connection 9, enable the communication and the passage of the sanitary water between the two storages 3.V and 3.M. Such connections allow for heating the sanitary water in the two storages 3.M and 3.V in series, giving priority first to the heating of the downstream storage 3.V and then to that of the upstream storage 3.M.

[0086] The further executive variant of the combined system 1 of the invention, shown without any limiting intent in figure 3, enables the downstream 3.V and upstream storages 3.M to be heated also independently of each other, even though, as seen, connected in series.

[0087] According to such variant, the combined system 1 of the invention provides for, in addition to and / or in combination with the various components and pipes described thus far (to which reference is therefore made), at least a pair of diverter valves, preferably a first diverter valve 52 and a second diverter valve 53, appropriately and preferably positioned so that the sanitary exchanger 6 may independently heat the sanitary water withdrawn either from the downstream storage 3.V or from the upstream storage 3.M.

[0088] Preferably, said diverter valves 52 and 53 may comprise 3-way valves, preferably of the motorised type.

[0089] Without any limiting intent, also said diverter valves 52 and 53 may be possibly positioned in the connection kit 5.

[0090] For installation reasons and purposes that will be shortly explained, the first diverter valve 52 provides for a single inlet 520 and two outlets 521, 522, while the second diverter valve 53 comprises a single outlet 530 and two inlets 531, 532. The first diverter valve 52 is preferably positioned downstream of the sanitary exchanger 6 along the charging duct 611 and provides that: the outlet 521 is connected and in communication with the portion of said charging duct 611 adapted to take the sanitary water, heated in said sanitary exchanger 6, into the downstream storage 3.V, the outlet 522 is connected and in communication with a by-pass pipe 80.M adapted to divert, preferably integrally, the sanitary water heated and exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6 to the upstream storage 3.M, the inlet 520 is connected and in communication with the portion of said charging duct 611, connected with the sanitary exchanger 6.

[0091] The second diverter valve 53 is instead positioned along the supply duct 610 of the cold water withdrawn from the bottom of the upstream storage 3.M and intended to pass through the secondary side 61 of the sanitary exchanger 6. Without any limiting intent, said diverter valve 53 is preferably positioned between the bottom of the upstream storage 3.M, externally thereto, and the circulator 7, even positioned, as seen, along the supply duct 610.

[0092] The second diverter valve 53 also provides that: the inlet 532 is connected and in fluid communication with a branch duct 80.V coming from the bottom of the downstream storage 3.V, wherefrom sanitary water is withdrawn at the lowest temperatures thereof to forward it to the sanitary exchanger 6 and perform at least an initial heating thereof; the inlet 531 is connected and in fluid communication with the portion of the supply duct 610 connected to the bottom of the storage 3.M; the outlet 530 is connected and in fluid communication with the portion of the supply duct 610 that extends and connects to the sanitary exchanger 6 (a portion that, in figure 3, is equipped, without any limiting intent, also with the circulator 7).

[0093] Therefore, with reference to the construction variant of figure 3, when only the upstream storage 3.M is to be heated, the sanitary water is withdrawn from the bottom of said storage 3.M and taken to the sanitary exchanger 6 through the supply duct 610 and the relating circulator 7 for the heating thereof.

[0094] In this case, the inlet 532 of the diverter valve 53 connected to the branch pipe 80.V "coming" from the downstream storage 3.V, not interested in the heating process, is closed, while the other inlet 531 and the outlet 530 are open.

[0095] The heated sanitary water, exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6, as mentioned, passes through the open inlet 520 and is diverted to the outlet 522 of the diverter valve 52, which is open and connected with the by-pass pipe 80.M (the other outlet 521 thereof, towards the relating portion of the charging duct 611 is in fact closed), so as to reach again the upstream storage 3.M, progressively heating it.

[0096] To preserve the stratification of the storage 3.M, the by-pass pipe 80.M may extend substantially up to the dome, or alternatively at least up to an intermediate height between the bottom and the dome thereof, allowing the water heated by the sanitary exchanger 6 to be introduced into the higher-temperature zones.

[0097] The aforementioned circulation is continued until the temperature of the sanitary water of the storage 3.M reaches a desired value, e.g., the aforementioned reference temperature.

[0098] The sanitary water of the storage 3.M may therefore be made available and transferred to the downstream storage 3.V in the ways seen above, in particular by means of the aforementioned pipes and connections 8.M, 9.V, and 9 that connect them in series, or, alternatively, directly withdrawn to be delivered to a user in response to a request thereof. In the latter case, it is necessary to provide for a withdrawal duct (not shown) also for the storage 3.M.

[0099] Furthermore, since the upstream storage 3.M to be heated, in a combined system 1 that comprises at least two storages 3 in series, generally contains sanitary water at the lower temperatures (when compared to those of the downstream storage 3.V) also the delivery temperature of the technical fluid of the heat pump 2, intended to exchange heat with said water in the sanitary exchanger 6, may be maintained, at least initially, at substantially low temperature values, by increasing them only when the storage 3.M progressively heats up.

[0100] This would allow the heat pump 2 to operate with higher COPs, but at the expense of longer heating times of the sanitary water.

[0101] However, in case that only the downstream storage 3.V is heated, the sanitary water is withdrawn from the bottom thereof and brought to the sanitary exchanger 6 for the heating thereof via the branch pipe 80.V and the circulator 7.

[0102] In such case, the inlet 532 of the diverter valve 53, connected to the branch pipe 80.V, is therefore open, as is the outlet 530, while the inlet 531, fluidically connected with the portion of supply duct 610 coming from the bottom of the upstream storage 3.M, not involved in the heating, is closed.

[0103] The heated sanitary water, exiting from the sanitary exchanger 6, is therefore integrally returned to the storage 3.V by means of the delivery duct 611 and the relating inlet pipe 8.V connected thereto. For such purpose, the outlet 522 of the diverter valve 52 connected to the by-pass pipe 80.M is closed, while the inlet 520 and the other outlet 521 are open.

[0104] Even in this case, the aforementioned circulation is continued until the temperature of the sanitary water of the storage 3.V reaches a desired value, e.g., the aforementioned reference temperature.

[0105] The sanitary water thus heated is preferably reintroduced into the storage 3.V, so as to safeguard the thermal stratification thereof, and wherefrom it may be withdrawn, via the withdrawal duct 41', to meet the request of a user.

[0106] Since the downstream storage 3.V to be heated, in a combined system 1 that comprises at least two storages 3 in series, generally consists of the storage containing sanitary water at the highest temperatures (when compared to those of the upstream storage 3.M), the delivery temperature of the technical fluid of the heat pump 2, intended to exchange heat with said water in the sanitary exchanger 6, should also be maintained at a sufficiently high temperature values from the beginning.

[0107] In such case, the heat pump 2 would operate less efficiently, particularly with lower COPs, but with particularly rapid heating times of the downstream storage 3.V.

[0108] With reference to the variants of combined system 1 of figures 1-3, illustrated above, it is useful to reiterate that, once the heat pump 2 is started, the circulator 7 is generally activated when the temperature of the sanitary water in said storages 3.U or 3.V and / or 3.M is lower than the aforementioned reference temperature and modulated (continuously and / or ON / OFF) until the sanitary water reintroduced therein through the respective inlet pipes 8.U, 8.V, 8.M, reaches at least said reference temperature (or other desired temperature).

[0109] More precisely, it should also be noted that, once the heat pump 2 of the combined system 1 has started in sanitary mode, the circulator 7 may be maintained switched off until the temperature sensor T ft.1 measures a temperature of the technical fluid equal to, or preferably higher than, by an appropriate and predefined safety value ΔT s , the reference temperature for the storage 3.U or 3.V and / or 3.M.

[0110] In this way, the thermal stratification of the storage 3.U or 3.V and / or 3.M is not compromised, maximising the amount of hot water that may be withdrawn and intended to a user.

[0111] In fact, as long as the circulator 7 is switched off, there is no passage of sanitary water in the secondary side 61 of the sanitary exchanger 6, and consequently there is no heat exchange with the technical fluid, which instead continues to circulate in the primary side 60.

[0112] In such way, the sanitary water is prevented from exchanging heat with a technical fluid not yet sufficiently heated by the heat pump 2, which therefore, instead of heating it, would cause it to cool down, this altering or impairing the thermal stratification of the storages 3 (in particular of the storages 3.U or 3.V).

[0113] According to the invention, the technical fluid is therefore recirculated along a path that comprises the delivery pipe 20 of the heat pump 2, the inlet duct 600 to the sanitary exchanger 6, the primary side 60 of the same exchanger 6, the outlet duct 601 and finally the return pipe 21 to the same heat pump 2, in order to be progressively heated through the thermodynamic cycle of the heat pump 2 until reaching or exceeding the reference temperature of the storage 3.U or 3.V or 3.M. When the temperature of the recirculated technical fluid reaches or exceeds the reference temperature of the storage 3.U or 3.V or 3.M, the circulator 7 is activated. This starts a flow of sanitary water through the secondary side 61 of the sanitary exchanger 6, allowing an effective heat exchange between the technical fluid and the sanitary water. Such process heats the sanitary water up to adequate / desired temperatures, preventing the thermal de-stratification of the storages 3.U and 3.V and / or 3.M.

[0114] This represents a clear advantage compared to the solutions known in the state-of-the-art , in which the sanitary exchanger often consists of a coil directly immersed in the sanitary water of the storage and passed through a technical fluid appropriately "prepared" (for example, heated) by a thermal generator, such as a boiler or a heat pump.

[0115] In such a case, in fact, unlike what has been seen thus far, it would not be possible to decouple and / or at least time-shift the heat production in the heat pump and the actual heat exchange with the sanitary water of the storage. It is known, in fact, that once the heat pump is started in sanitary mode, the technical fluid will inevitably flow through the coil immersed in the storage even if the temperature thereof, at least initially, exiting from the same heat pump, is lower than the temperature of the sanitary water contained therein.

[0116] As a result, there is a de-stratification of the temperature of the sanitary water inside a storage, since, instead of being heated, it would be, at least initially, cooled by the "colder" technical fluid of the heat pump 2.

[0117] It should also be noted that the operation of the combined system 1 of figure 2 and / or 3, which provides for two storages 3.M and 3.V in series, may be optimised to achieve a compromise between efficiency of the heat pump 2 and availability of sanitary water at the temperature desired or sufficient to meet one or more withdrawals by a user.

[0118] Without any limiting intent, the combined system 1 of figure 2 and / or 3 is in fact able to operate according to: a "FAST" logic that enables a rapid heating of the sanitary water contained in one or both the storages 3.V, 3.M, at the expense of the efficiency of the heat pump 2, designated to such heating (lower COPs), or a "HIGH COP" logic that, conversely, ensures higher efficiencies for the heat pump 2 but longer preparation and heating times of the sanitary water.

[0119] For completeness, both said operating logics shall be briefly described below.FAST Mode

[0120] In FAST operating mode, the heat pump 2 is set so as to operate, e.g., essentially at the maximum power (or in proximity to the same) thereof or at a power modulation such as to obtain an inlet temperature of the sanitary water in the downstream 3.V or upstream 3.M storage equal (or, in any case, as close as possible) to the reference temperature.

[0121] As a result, the circulator 7 is modulated so as to favour reaching and / or maintaining said temperature in the downstream 3.V or upstream 3.M storage, obtaining a very fast heating of the sanitary water and therefore, starting for example from a substantially cold storage 3.V or 3.M, the shortest possible time to meet a first withdrawal of sanitary hot water.

[0122] This implies that the heat pump 2 operates with high delivery temperatures for the technical fluid, for example measured on the relating delivery pipe 20 through the aforementioned temperature sensor T ft.1 , something that, conversely, reduces the efficiency thereof (lower COPs).HIGH COP mode

[0123] The HIGH COP operating mode adapts, instead, to all those cases where there is no need to have sanitary hot water in a storage in the shortest possible time, a goal, as seen, achieved by the FAST mode.

[0124] In such case, the heat pump 2 may be adjusted so as to operate at lower power values, e.g., compared to the maximum power thereof that may be delivered, at which it may achieve greater efficiencies, and with a delivery temperature for the technical fluid, measured on the relating delivery duct 20, that gradually increases from low values to values sufficient to obtain an inlet temperature of the sanitary water in the downstream 3.V or upstream 3.M storage equal (or, in any case, as close as possible) to the reference temperature for the sanitary water. The circulator 7 is then modulated accordingly for reaching such temperature.

[0125] In this way, the heat pump 2, starting for example from a substantially cold storage 3.V or 3.M, initially operates at low delivery temperatures, and therefore with high efficiency, and only in the end of the heating it will begin to operate at high temperatures and lower efficiency.

[0126] The "average" efficiency of the heating process of the sanitary water in HIGH COP mode will always result to be greater than in the FAST operating mode.

[0127] It is useful to reiterate that the previously described "FAST" or "HIGH COP" operating modes of the combined system 1 of the invention may be advantageously applied both to the variant of figure 2, according to which the two storages 3.M, 3.V in series are heated in sequence and to the variant of figure 3 referred to the independent heating of the storages 3.M and 3.V.

[0128] For this second variant, it is also possible to imagine a "combined" operating mode, according to which one of the two storages 3.M, 3.V, preferably the downstream one 3.V, adopts the FAST mode, while the upstream one 3.M the HIGH COP mode (or vice versa).

[0129] Finally, it is clear that several variants of the combined system 1 of the invention are possible for the man skilled in the art, without departing from the novelty scopes of the inventive idea, as well as it is clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention the various components of said combined system 1 may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0130] For example, inside one or more of the storages 3 of the combined system 1, it is possible to provide for the installation and use of at least one accessory element for heating the sanitary water, preferably one or more electrical resistances HE. Such one or more electrical resistances may operate in combination with or as an alternative to the heat pump 2; in the first case to supplement the sanitary water heating provided by said heat pump 2, if insufficient; in the second case to replace it completely, for example in case of a breakdown or maintenance stoppage thereof, or if optimal conditions for the efficient operation thereof are not present. When multiple electrical resistances HE are present, arranged, for example, at different heights in one or more of the aforementioned storages 3, it is possible to configure them to make them operate all simultaneously or, alternatively, activate only some. The choice depends on the temperatures detected in the one or more storages 3 or on specific preset control modes.

[0131] Furthermore, although the activation of the heat pump 2 and / or of the circulator 7 in sanitary water production mode ("sanitary mode") has so far been associated with a temperature control of the sanitary water contained in one or more storages 3, it is equally possible to subordinate such activation to the detection, e.g., via a flow switch, of a given flow or volume of sanitary water indicative of a withdrawal by a user.

[0132] It is also possible to make a simplified and less performing version of the combined system 1, in which the sanitary exchanger 6 is not a plate unit external to the storages 3, as described so far, but instead consists of traditional coil exchangers 6', internal to said one or more storages 3.

[0133] As already partly described, said coil exchangers 6' (or the like) are immersed in the sanitary water of the storages 3, with which they are in a heat exchange relationship, and are directly passed through the technical fluid coming from the heat pump 2.

[0134] Without any limiting intent, figure 4 therefore shows a variant that provides for a first and second coil exchanger 6', connected in series with each other, and placed, one inside the upstream storage 3.M and the other in the downstream storage 3.V, also in series, respectively.

[0135] It should be noted that all the parts and components of the combined system 1 of figure 4 that are functionally equal or equivalent to those that have been described with reference to the variants of figures 1-3 shall be indicated with the same numerals and therefore shall not be discussed in detail any further.

[0136] Although this configuration, as partly already discussed previously, may compromise to some extent the thermal stratification of the sanitary water inside the storages 3, it still offers the significant advantage of allowing the realisation of particularly compact combined systems 1.

[0137] In this case, in fact, the combined system 1 does not need to include components such as the external sanitary exchanger 6 and / or the circulator 7 (as described with reference to the variants in figures 1-3) for the connection of the heat pump 2 to one or more storages 3, simplifying and reducing the overall dimensions, volumes, and cost thereof. Furthermore, there remains the advantage of being able to heat one storage at a time, in case a second diverter valve and the appropriate hydraulic connections to the storage(s) 3 are used, similarly to what described in figure 3.

[0138] As shown in figure 4, according to such a variant, it is sufficient for the combined system 1 to comprise only the switching valve 51 of the heat pump 2, which allows the selection between indoor heating / cooling mode and that for heating the sanitary water.

[0139] Also for this variant, the switching valve 51 may be possibly positioned in a connection kit 5 of the combined system 1.

[0140] Said connection kit 5 may possibly include also short sections or portions of the delivery 20 and / or return pipes 21 of the heat pump 2, in addition to the inlet 60' and outlet 61' pipes of the coil exchangers 6', intended to the technical fluid treated in the same heat pump 2.

[0141] Finally, it is noted that, thanks to the compact and / or "flat" shape of the body which contains at least the switching valve 51 and / or the sanitary exchanger 6, 6' and the one or more storages 3 cooperating with the heat pump 2, and thanks to the natural stratification of the sanitary water favoured, at least for some preferred variants, by the presence of two storages 3.M and 3.V arranged in series, it is possible to install the storages 3.M and 3.V also in a horizontal position, for example by fixing them, in such configuration, to the ceiling or to a wall of an installation environment. This configuration adds to the traditional vertical installation described above and more commonly used.

[0142] In order to allow also this possible installation method, it is necessary to carefully design the positions and the geometries of the pipes 8.M, 8.V, and 9.V inside the storages 3.M and 3.V, described above, so that they may operate correctly both in vertical and horizontal position. Alternatively, it is possible to develop specific configurations, with different shapes and positions for these components, based on the installation orientation, vertical or horizontal, provided for and / or chosen for said storages.

[0143] Finally, it is noted that the combined system 1 of the invention, illustrated in the non-limiting variants of the attached figures 1-4, meets all the set objectives. It is in fact a compact system, having reduced overall dimensions, that optimises the installation space and offers greater flexibility.

[0144] Thanks to the possible connection kit 5, which connects the heat pump 2 to the relating one or more storages 3, the system is easy to carry and quick to install onsite.

[0145] The connection kit 5 may be supplied already assembled with the storage(s) 3 or supplied separately, so as to simplify the transportation inside the installation room, thanks to a reduced weight and dimension of the single parts compared to the product entirely assembled.

[0146] Although already noted during the description, it is reiterated, for clarity, that the connection kit 5 may not contain some of the components described in the figures (e.g., the switching or diverter valves, the circulator, etc.) given that they may be integrated inside the heat pump 2, depending on the heat pump models used and on the typologies of installation.

[0147] Furthermore, the combined system 1 of the invention ensures an optimal balance between the efficiency of the heat pump 2 and the heating speed of the sanitary water, while preserving the thermal stratification in the one or more storages 3 (at least for the preferred variants of the figures 1 to 3).

Claims

1. Combined system (1) adapted to serve a thermal system (4) for indoor heating and / or cooling and / or a sanitary system (4') for the preparation of sanitary water, and comprising at least: - a heat pump (2), for heating or cooling a technical fluid adapted to circulate in said thermal system (4), said heat pump (2) comprising at least: - a thermodynamic circuit for the thermal exchange between said technical fluid and a heat-transfer fluid, - a delivery pipe (20) and a return pipe (21) for said technical fluid to / from said thermal system (4), - at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) for the preparation and storage of said sanitary water to be allocated to a user, - at least a sanitary exchanger (6; 6') in which the thermal exchange between said technical fluid and said sanitary water takes place, characterised in that it further comprises at least a first switching valve (51) capable of converting the operation of said combined system (1) from an indoor heating and / or cooling mode to a sanitary mode, and vice versa, said first switching valve (51) comprising an inlet (512) connected and in fluid communication with said delivery pipe (20) of said heat pump (2) and two outlets (511; 512) configured to be connected and in fluid communication with a delivery duct (40) of said thermal system (4) and said sanitary exchanger (6; 6') respectively.

2. Combined system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sanitary exchanger (6) is external to said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V).

3. Combined system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sanitary exchanger (6) is a plate exchanger: - on the primary side (60) whereof at least the following are connected and insist: - an inlet duct (600) derived, by means of said switching valve (51), from said delivery pipe (20) of the heat pump (2), said inlet duct (600) causing the technical fluid to flow towards said sanitary exchanger (6), - an outlet duct (601) for said technical fluid which connects to said return pipe (21) of the heat pump (2); - on the secondary side (61) whereof at least the following are connected and insist: - a supply duct (610) of cold sanitary water withdrawn from the bottom of at least one (3.M) of said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) and intended to be heated in the sanitary exchanger (6) by the technical fluid which passes through the primary side (60), - a charging duct (611) inside at least one (3.V) of said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) of the heated sanitary water and exiting from said sanitary exchanger (6).

4. Combined system (1) according to the previous claim, wherein on said supply duct (610) a circulator (7) is positioned for the withdrawal of said cold sanitary water from said bottom of at least one (3.M) of said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) and the circulation thereof through said secondary side (61) of said sanitary exchanger (6).

5. Combined system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) are of the "flat" type.

6. Combined system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) comprise an upstream storage (3.M) and a downstream storage (3.V) connected in series by means of a connection (9) respectively connected to: - a priming pipe (9.V) positioned in proximity to or at the bottom of said downstream storage (3.V), - an inlet pipe (8.M) inside said upstream storage (3.M), said third inlet pipe (8.M) preferably extending substantially up to the dome of said upstream storage (3.M) or up to an intermediate height between the bottom and the dome.

7. Combined system (1) according to at least claim 3, wherein said charging duct (611) is fluidically connected to an inlet pipe (8.V) for the inlet of said sanitary water into said downstream storage (3.V), said inlet pipe (8.V) extending and developing substantially up to the dome or up to an intermediate height between the bottom and the dome of said downstream storage (3.V)8. Combined system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein at least a first diverter valve (52) and a second diverter valve (53) are comprised: - said first diverter valve (52) being positioned downstream of said sanitary exchanger (6) along the said charging duct (611), - said second diverter valve (53) being positioned along the said supply duct (610) between the bottom of the said upstream storage (3.M), externally thereto, and the said circulator (7), said first (52) and second (53) diverter valve enabling to heat in the said sanitary exchanger (6) the sanitary water either of said downstream storage (3.V) or of said upstream storage (3.M).

9. Combined system (1) according to the previous claim, wherein: - an outlet (522) of said first diverter valve (52) is connected and in fluid communication with a by-pass pipe (80.M) capable of completely diverting the sanitary water exiting from said sanitary exchanger (6) towards said upstream storage (3.M), - an inlet (532) of said second diverter valve (53) is connected and in fluid communication with a branch pipe (80.V) coming from the bottom of said downstream storage (3.V), wherefrom it is withdrawn and sent to said sanitary exchanger (6).

10. Combined system (1) according to the previous claim, wherein said by-pass pipe (80.M) extends substantially up to the dome of said upstream storage (3.M) or up to an intermediate height between the bottom and the dome.

11. Combined system (1) according to any previous claim, wherein there are comprised: - at least a temperature sensor (Tft.i) of said technical fluid, and / or - at least a temperature sensor (Tacs.i), placed inside at least one of said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V), for detecting the temperature of the sanitary water contained therein, and / or - at least a possible temperature sensor (TS) for detecting the temperature of the sanitary water exiting from the secondary side (61) of said sanitary exchanger (6).

12. Combined system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sanitary exchanger (6') is inside said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V), said sanitary exchanger (6') being preferably a coil exchanger (6') directly traversed by said technical fluid coming from said heat pump (2).

13. Combined system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein at least one or more components between said switching valve (51) and / or sanitary exchanger (6) and / or circulator (7) and / or first diverter valve (52) and / or second diverter valve (53) are positioned and / or housed inside a connection kit (5), comprising a box-shaped body (50), capable of hydraulically and functionally connecting said heat pump (2) and said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V).

14. Combined system (1) according to the previous claim, wherein said connection kit (5) further houses: - at least a section of said delivery pipe (20) and / or of said return pipe (21) of said heat pump (2), and / or - at least a section of a delivery duct (40) and / or of a return duct (41) of said thermal system (4) for said technical fluid, said delivery (40) and return (41) ducts of said thermal system (4) being fluidically connected respectively to said delivery (20) and return (21) pipes of said heat pump (2), and / or - at least parts or portions of said inlet duct (600) and / or outlet duct (601) and / or supply duct (610) and / or charging duct (611) of said sanitary exchanger (6), or - at least sections or portions of the inlet (60') and outlet (61') pipes of said at least a coil exchanger (6').

15. Combined system (1) according to at least claim 13 and / or 14, wherein said connection kit (5) and said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) are housed inside the same containment body, said containment body providing for at least one dimension thereof, in particular its thickness, significantly reduced compared to the other two, in particular to its height.

16. Method for the indoor heating and / or cooling and / or for the preparation of sanitary water contained in said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) of the combined system (1) according to one or more of the claims 1 to 15, characterised in that it provides for: - an "indoor heating / cooling mode" when said switching valve (51) puts into communication said delivery pipe (20) of said heat pump (2), where said technical fluid is heated or cooled, with said delivery duct (40) of said thermal system (4), in said operating mode the output of said switching valve (51) towards said sanitary exchanger (6; 6') being generally completely closed; - a "sanitary mode" when said switching valve (51)puts into communication said delivery pipe (20) of said heat pump (2), where said technical fluid is heated, with said sanitary exchanger (6; 6'), in said operating mode the outlet of said switching valve (51) towards said delivery duct (40) of the thermal system (4) being generally completely closed.

17. Method according to the previous claim, wherein said sanitary water to be heated in said sanitary exchanger (6) is withdrawn from the bottom of one (3.V; 3.M) of said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) and reintroduced, after being heated, into said downstream (3.V) or upstream (3.M) storage through the respective said inlet pipes (8.V, 8.M), said sanitary exchanger (6) being a sanitary plate exchanger (6) external to said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V).

18. Method according to the previous claim, wherein with said combined system (1) operating in "sanitary mode", said circulator (7) for the withdrawal of said sanitary water from at least one (3.V; 3.M) of said at least two storages (3; 3.M, 3.V) and the circulation thereof through said secondary side (61) of said sanitary exchanger (6) is: - started when the temperature of the sanitary water in said downstream (3.V) or upstream (3.M) storages is lower than a reference temperature, and - modulated until the sanitary water reintroduced therein through the respective inlet pipes (8.V) or (8.M) reaches at least said reference temperature.

19. Method according to the previous claim, wherein said circulator (7) is kept switched off until said temperature sensor (Tft.1) of said combined system (1) measures a temperature of said technical fluid equal to or higher than an appropriate and predefined safety value ΔTs at said reference temperature for said storages (3.V) or (3.M).

20. Method according to one or more of the previous claims 16 to 19, wherein in case of at least two storages (3.M, 3.V) to be heated in series, said downstream storage (3.V) is heated first, then said upstream storage (3.M).

21. Method according to one or more of the previous claims 16 to 19, wherein in case of at least two storages (3.M, 3.V) to be heated independently of each other: - in the heating step of only the upstream storage (3.M), the outlet (522) of said first diverter valve (52) connected to said by-pass pipe (80.M) is open, as is the inlet (520), while the outlet (521) of said first diverter valve (52) connected to said charging duct (611) and the inlet (532) of said second diverter valve (53) connected to said branch pipe (80.V) coming from said downstream storage (3.V) are respectively closed so as to heat only the upstream storage (3.M); - during the heating step of the downstream storage only (3.V), the inlet (532) of said second diverter valve (53) connected to said branch pipe (80.V) is open, as is the outlet (530), while the inlet (531) of said second diverter valve (53) connected to the portion of said supply duct (610) coming from the bottom of the storage (3.M) and the outlet (522) of said first diverter valve (52) connected to said by-pass pipe (80.M) are respectively closed.

22. Method according to one or more of the previous claims 16 to 21, wherein the heat pump (2) of said combined system (1) is able to operate according to: - a FAST mode during which said heat pump (2) operates with high delivery temperatures for said technical fluid such as to obtain a sanitary water inlet temperature in said downstream storage (3.V) or in said upstream storage (3.M) substantially equal to said reference temperature, said FAST mode allowing a quick heating of said sanitary water, and / or - a HIGH COP mode during which said heat pump (2) operates with delivery temperatures for said technical fluid that gradually increase from low valuesup to values sufficient to obtain a sanitary water inlet temperature in said downstream (3.V) or upstream (3.M) storage substantially equal to said reference temperature, said HIGH COP mode ensuring the highest efficiencies for said heat pump (2), said circulator (7) being modulated so as to facilitate reaching and / or maintaining said reference temperature in said downstream (3.V) or upstream (3.M) storages.

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