Thermodynamic heating device for a liquid tank and corresponding manufacturing and installation processes

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermodynamic heating apparatus comprising a condenser (3) disposed against the tank (2). The condenser comprises an extruded tube, for example made of aluminum or copper, which forms a band around the tank. The tube comprises several winding elements (31), each comprising a first portion (310) of tube extending around a portion of the circumference of the tank, followed by a U-shaped return (311), called the internal return, formed by bending the tube. The U-shaped return (311) is extended by a second portion (312) which extends around a portion of the circumference of the tank (2) in the opposite direction to the first portion (310). Each winding element (31) is connected to another winding element (32) by a U-shaped connecting return (313) bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of each of the internal U-shaped returns of the winding elements. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Thermodynamic heating apparatus for a liquid tank and corresponding manufacturing and installation methods. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to thermodynamic liquid tank heating devices, such as thermodynamic water heaters. PRIOR ART

[0002] Thermodynamic heating devices are known which are used to heat a tank filled with liquid, for example water.

[0003] These devices comprise a heat pump system containing a refrigerant. Around the tank is a part of the refrigeration circuit, called the condenser, which heats the liquid in the tank. The refrigerant condenses in the circuit around the tank to heat the liquid in the tank by heat transfer. Thermal paste may be present between the condenser and the tank to optimize heat exchange.

[0004] It is known in particular from patent FR3077622, ​​to produce a thermodynamic water heater condenser which is formed by a tube placed by manual or semi-automatic spiral winding around the tank as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0005] Thus, in the example illustrated in [Fig.1], the thermodynamic water heater 1' comprises a tank 2 and a condenser 3' which comprises a tube wound in spirals around the peripheral wall 20 of the tank 2.

[0006] The spiral winding operation of the condenser tube around the tank takes several minutes and cannot be completed within the usual cycle time of a water heater production line, which is on the order of 30 to 45 seconds. The spiral winding operation is therefore performed outside the flow of the production line, which necessitates holding stock and a complex production organization.

[0007] Furthermore, there are other types of condensers in the form of belts, such as belts with micro-channels or so-called "roll bond" belts (English terms literally translating to winding bond).

[0008] However, for microchannel belts, the extruded aluminum tubes are welded to vertical manifolds. Welding the tubes to the manifolds increases the risk of refrigerant leakage. Furthermore, the welding process requires the use of specific furnaces and the manual placement of the tubes on the manifold, reducing the repeatability of the manufacturing process. Finally, the volume of the manifolds increases the amount of refrigerant. used, without the refrigerant present in the collector participating in the heat exchange between the tank and the condenser.

[0009] As regards roll-bond type belts, these belts are manufactured by a cold welding process involving the rolling of two metal sheets followed by pressure to form the circuit. These roll-bond belts are difficult to manufacture because the material used may not withstand the forming pressure, and it is difficult to design a circuit sufficiently resistant to the operating pressure. Furthermore, this type of belt requires good cylindricity and a good surface finish on the tank, which is difficult to achieve, to ensure good contact and heat exchange between the belt and the tank. The rigidity of the panel formed by the metal sheets makes it difficult to apply around the tank, thus creating a risk of condenser degradation and performance loss.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a new thermodynamic heating device, a manufacturing method, and a corresponding condenser installation method that overcomes all or part of the problems described above. Summary of the invention

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a thermodynamic heating device comprising: - a tank with a longitudinal axis; - a heat pump system comprising a condenser having a refrigerant inlet and an outlet of said refrigerant, characterized in that the condenser comprises an extruded tube through which the refrigerant is intended to circulate and which forms a belt around the tank, the tube comprising several winding elements, each winding element comprising a first portion of tube extending around a part of the circumference of the tank, followed by a U-shaped return, called internal return, formed by bending the tube; the internal U-shaped return being extended by a second portion which develops around a part of the circumference of the tank in the opposite direction to the first portion, each winding element being connected to another winding element by a U-shaped connecting return bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of each of the internal U-shaped returns of the winding elements.

[0012] Such a condenser design, formed from an extruded tube that is bent so as to form, when applied to the tank and thanks to the tube's winding elements which have internal returns bent in the opposite direction to the connecting returns that link the winding elements together, allows the condenser to be easily and quickly applied around the tank in the manner of a belt. Such The conformation of the extruded tube - which in flat configuration takes the form of a coil - allows this coil to be automatically applied against the peripheral wall of the tank and pressed against the tank at the same time as the latter rotates one turn on itself to encircle the tank with the coil. This operation of placing the condenser on the tank can be carried out on a production line of the device, that is to say within the cycle time of the production line, preferably less than 45 seconds, without having to temporarily store the tank off the production line to carry out the application of the condenser on the tank.

[0013] The serpentine shape - considered flat before application around the tank - formed by the succession of the winding elements of the tube, allows this flat serpentine shape of the condenser to be brought laterally onto the tank to encircle it, which allows the application of the condenser onto the tank in a simple operation of applying it to the tank and fixing or tightening the two ends of the band around the tank towards each other.

[0014] The heating device, such as a thermodynamic water heater, may also include one or more of the following characteristics taken in any technically permissible combination.

[0015] Preferably the condenser tube through which the refrigerant is intended to circulate is made of a single piece without joining several sections of tube.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the winding elements and the U-shaped connecting returns are formed by a single tube without a joint, such as weld, which is shaped to obtain, when flat, a coil which, when applied against the tank, forms the winding elements and the connecting returns between the winding elements.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet is formed by a portion of straight tube which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank (2), and which is extended by the first winding element.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outlet is formed by another straight portion of the tube which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, being further away from the longitudinal axis than the inlet.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extruded tube is made of aluminum or copper.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tube has a circular or D-shaped cross-section.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the internal U-shaped return of each winding element extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane in which the first or second portion of the tube extends.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the winding elements and the connecting returns form, in a flat configuration, a coil, called the main coil, which, in the applied state against the peripheral wall of the tank, forms a belt, one end of which is formed by the connecting returns located on the same first side of the coil, and the opposite end of which is formed by the returns located on the same second side of the coil, opposite to the first side.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the curved extruded tube of the condenser also includes an additional coil, the straight parts of which are, in the flat configuration of the tube, orthogonal to the straight parts of the main coil, the additional coil being disposed between the outlet and the main coil, and being applicable to the under wall of the tank considered in the vertical position in the tank's operating configuration.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermodynamic heating device includes a holding system configured to keep said portions of the tube winding elements separated from each other so as to maintain the shape of the belt.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermodynamic heating device includes clamping means for bringing the ends of the belt formed by the bent extruded tube together, to tighten the belt against the tank.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping means are fixed on the holding system.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping means comprise hooks and springs.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a condenser for a thermodynamic heating device, said thermodynamic heating device comprising a tank against which said condenser is intended to be applied, the method comprising the following steps: - extrusion of a tube to form said condenser; - shaping the tube by bending so as to obtain several winding elements, each winding element comprising a first portion of tube extending around a part of the circumference of the tank, followed by a U-shaped return, called internal return, formed by bending the tube; the U-shaped return being extended by a second portion which develops around a part of the circumference of the tank in the opposite direction to the first portion, each winding element being connected to another winding element by a U-shaped connecting return bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of each of the internal U-shaped returns of the winding elements.

[0029] The invention also relates to a method for automatically placing a bent extruded condenser tube onto a tank of a thermodynamic heating device, preferably during a production cycle on a production line of the thermodynamic heating device, the method comprising the following steps: - supply, in a flat configuration, of an extruded and bent tube, at least part of which is formed into a serpentine shape; - bringing the coil against the peripheral wall of the tank; - rotation of the tank and application of the coil against the tank during rotation to encircle the tank with the coil, so that, in the state applied against the tank, the coil of the tube forms several winding elements, each winding element comprising a first portion of tube extending around a part of the circumference of the tank, followed by a U-shaped return, called internal return, formed by bending the tube; the U-shaped return being extended by a second portion which develops around a part of the circumference of the tank in the opposite direction to the first portion, each winding element being connected to another winding element by a U-shaped connecting return bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of each of the internal U-shaped returns of the winding elements; - fixing and / or tightening of the belt formed by the coil around the tank.

[0030] The process makes it possible to obtain a thermodynamic heating device as proposed above.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the coil has portions of different cross-sections, said portions of the coil being obtained for example by joining together several portions of tube of different cross-sections or by deformation of portions of the coil. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which:

[0033] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is an illustration of a thermodynamic heating device comprising a tank and a condenser which includes a tube wound in spirals around the tank according to a known example of the prior art;

[0034] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an illustration of a condenser according to an embodiment of the invention made from an extruded tube bent into a serpentine shape to form a belt around a tank of a thermodynamic heating device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an illustration of clamping elements that can be used to keep under tension the end parts of the belt formed by the condenser tube in order to press said belt against the tank of a thermodynamic heating device according to an embodiment of the invention, the condenser being for example that of [Fig.2] or [Fig.4];

[0036] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an illustration of a condenser tube for a device thermodynamic heating according to an embodiment of the invention, in the flat state of the tube, the tube being shaped to present at least a part in the form of a coil in a flat state, before application of the flat form of the condenser on the tank of the thermodynamic heating apparatus and rotation of the tank to encircle the tank with said tube, the lower part of the coil being intended to be pressed against an elliptical lower part of said tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all drawings. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

[0038] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0039] As schematically represented in [Fig.1], a tank 2 of a thermodynamic heating device contains liquid, for example water, which is intended to be heated by a refrigeration circuit of a heat pump (HP) system of the device which will be described later.

[0040] By way of example, the device is a water heater. Although the following description is made with reference to a water heater, it should be noted that it applies to any type of thermodynamic heating device comprising a liquid tank.

[0041] The tank 2 filled with water extends along a longitudinal dimension which, here, is taken along the vertical axis insofar as the tank is arranged vertically. However, the following description also applies to a tank arranged horizontally (horizontal longitudinal dimension) or inclined.

[0042] Typically, in tank 2, heated water is drawn from one end or upper extremity of the tank, while unheated water is introduced from the opposite end or lower extremity. The various connections for water injection and withdrawal are not shown for clarity. The tank comprises a wall 20, which is generally cylindrical and closed at its two opposite ends by two bottoms or caps, and is substantially elliptical.

[0043] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the tank 2 has a peripheral wall 20 extending around a longitudinal axis A2. The tank 2 also has a bottom wall 22 forming the base of the tank and extending the peripheral wall 20 to the lower part of the tank. The tank also has a top wall 21 forming the top of the tank and extending the peripheral wall to the upper part of the tank.

[0044] The water heater also includes a heat pump system 6 which includes a refrigeration circuit, a portion of which is applied to the tank 2 and which contains a refrigerant, for example, RL34A. The portion of the refrigeration circuit which is applied around the tank forms the condenser of the circuit.

[0045] It should be noted that, as detailed below, the condenser 3 according to the invention, examples of which are illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, differs from the condenser 3' of [Fig. 1] known in the prior art in that, in [Fig. 1], the condenser 3' is formed by a spiral winding around the tank, whereas in the invention and as illustrated for example in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 4], the condenser 3 has - in flat configuration and as seen in [Fig. 4] - a serpentine shape 38, which is applied laterally against the tank 2 in the manner of a belt, as illustrated in [Fig. 2].

[0046] The condenser 3 includes an extruded tube which forms a refrigerant circulation circuit which includes an inlet 301 and an outlet 399. The tube is, for example, made of aluminum or copper.

[0047] The application of the condenser 3 according to the invention on the tank 2 requires only one rotation of the tank around its axis A2 to laterally press the serpentine shape (shown below) in which part of the tube is formed, and thus encircle the tank, whereas the realization of the spiral winding of the condenser 3' of [Fig.1] around the tank requires as many rotations of the tank as there are turns.

[0048] A thermodynamic water heater 1 of simple and reliable design is thus proposed, the condenser 3 of which comprises an extruded refrigerant circulation tube which is bent so that at least a part of the tube is formed into a coil 38, which is flat before application to the tank, which makes it easy to apply the flat shape of this coil 38 of the condenser to the peripheral wall of tank 2 of the water heater, particularly on a water heater production line. The condenser tube containing the refrigerant is in thermal contact with the external face of the tank wall.

[0049] Condenser

[0050] In a flat configuration, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the condenser tube 3 comprises straight sections 310, 312, 320, 322, 330, 332 connected by bends 311, 321, 331, 313, 323, 333 (U-shaped return) with alternating directions of concavity from one bend to the next. In other words, a given bend is obtained by curving the tube in one direction, and the next bend is obtained by curving the tube in the opposite direction. The condenser tube, thus bent, forms the coil 38, called the main coil, which comprises parallel straight sections and bends between these straight sections. The condenser inlet communicates with one end of the coil, and the condenser outlet communicates with the other end of the coil.

[0051] Each set of two straight parts 310, 312; 320, 322; 330, 332 connected to each other by an elbow or return, called internal elbow or return 311, 321, 331, forms a winding element 31, 32, 33. The winding elements 31, 32, 33 are connected to each other by elbows or returns 313, 323, 333, called connecting elbows or returns bent in the opposite direction to the internal elbows or returns of the winding elements.

[0052] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the coil 38 may have portions of different cross-sections. These portions of the coil 38 may be obtained by joining several tube portions of different cross-sections end to end or by deforming portions of the coil.

[0053] It can be foreseen that the condenser tube 3 also includes an additional coil 39, the straight sections of which, in the flat configuration, are orthogonal to the straight sections of the main coil 38. The additional coil 39 is disposed between the outlet 399 and the main coil 38, and can be applied to the underside wall 22 of the tank 2 considered in the vertical position in the water heater's operating configuration. In the example of [Fig. 4], the additional coil 39 is connected by a portion 340, 333 of the tube to the main coil 38 formed by the winding elements 31, 32, 33.

[0054] Winding elements

[0055] As illustrated in [Fig.2], in the applied state of the condenser 3 around the tank 2, the tube of the condenser 3 includes a first winding element 31 which includes a first portion 310 extending around at least a part of the circumference of the tank (around the longitudinal axis A2 of the tank 2), followed by a U-shaped return 311 (elbow).

[0056] In the applied state of the condenser 3 on the tank 2, the U-shaped return 311 is such that the bending axis A311 around which the tube is bent to obtain the U-shaped return (i.e. the axis of the through opening defined by the elbow - U-shaped return) is transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the longitudinal axis A2 of the tank 2. In other words, the U-shaped return 311 extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane in which the first portion 310 extends around the tank.

[0057] In the flat configuration of the tube in a plane, i.e. before application on the tank, the bending axis of the U-shaped return, i.e. the axis of the through opening defined between the two branches of the U, is orthogonal to said plane in which the tube extends before application on the tank.

[0058] The U-shaped return 311 is extended by a second portion 312 which develops parallel to the first portion 311, around at least a part of the circumference of the tank 2, in the opposite direction to the first portion 310 (by reference to a direction of travel of the tube from the inlet towards the outlet of the tube).

[0059] The condenser 3 comprises several winding elements 32, 33 made like the winding part 31, and which are connected to each other by U-shaped returns. In particular, the second portion 312 of a first winding element 31, located (in the water heater operating configuration) above a second winding element 32, is connected to the first portion 321 of a second winding element 32 by a U-shaped return 313.

[0060] Each U-shaped return 313, 323 called a link return, which connects two winding elements 31, 32, 33, has a concavity opposite to the internal U-shaped returns 311, 321, 331 of the winding elements.

[0061] Similar to the internal U-shaped return of a winding element, each connecting return 313 between two winding elements 31, 32 is such that the bending axis A313 around which the tube is bent to obtain the U-shaped return (i.e., the axis of the through opening defined by the bend – U-shaped return) is transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the longitudinal axis A2 of the tank. In other words, each U-shaped connecting return extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane in which each of the portions 312, 320 of winding elements 31, 32 connected by said connecting return 313 is developed.

[0062] In other words and similarly to the U-shaped return of a winding element, in the flat configuration of the bent tube, i.e. before application to the tank, the bending axis A313 of a U-shaped connection return 313, i.e. the axis of the through opening defined between the two branches of the U, is orthogonal to said plane in which the tube extends before application to the tank.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the winding elements and the U-shaped connecting returns are formed from the same extruded tube. In other words, the condenser tube that extends around the tank and through which a refrigerant is intended to circulate is a single tube without any joints such as welds, which is shaped to obtain at least the coil that forms the winding elements and the connecting returns between the winding elements. The U-shaped connections can be different from each other, for example to generate a variable spacing.

[0064] Input and output

[0065] The inlet 301 can be formed by a portion of straight tube extended by the first winding element.

[0066] The outlet 399 can be formed by a straight tube portion that extends from the last winding element or the remaining part 39 of the tube that extends between the last winding element and the outlet 399. The outlet 399 extends upwards, (considering the direction of fluid flow in the water heater's operating configuration).

[0067] The remaining part 39 of the tube may include a part of an additional winding element, which has only a first winding part as in the example of [Fig.2], and / or a corrugated or serpentine shaped tube part intended to come around and / or against the external face of the lower bottom of the tank (i.e. the lower wall of the tank).

[0068] Preferably, the output 399 extends substantially parallel to the input 301.

[0069] The outlet 399 which rises from the last winding element, or the remaining part of the tube which extends between the last winding element and the outlet 399, preferably extends to the spacing of the winding elements of the tube to avoid heat exchange between the winding elements and said outlet.

[0070] Tube

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as described above, the winding elements and connecting returns are formed from a single piece of one another. In other words, the winding elements are free of welds or joints between them. The winding elements are formed from an extruded tube that is shaped, preferably by bending:

[0072] to form the U-shaped returns that connect the winding elements together,

[0073] and to form, for each winding element, the U-shaped returns which connect the first and second portions of a winding element.

[0074] The extruded tube is also shaped to form the inlet and outlet, which preferably take the form of straight portions, and to form the possible remaining part 39 between the outlet and the winding elements.

[0075] According to a less advantageous embodiment, the tube from which the condenser is formed can be made by joining, for example, welding several parts together. It can thus be provided that different parts of the condenser tube are formed separately and then joined together, while presenting a part which, when flat, forms a coil by being deformable to be applied around the peripheral wall of the tank in the manner of a belt and possibly on the lower part of the tank.

[0076] The condenser tube may have a circular or elongated cross-section with a flat part, for example in D. The cross-section may vary along the tube.

[0077] Belt

[0078] The tube formed so that the winding elements 31, 32, 33 form -in flat configuration- a coil 38 can be used as a belt whose end is formed by the returns 311, 321, 331 (or elbows) located on the same first side of the coil, and whose opposite end is formed by the returns 313, 323, 333 (or elbows) located on the same second side of the coil, opposite to the first side.

[0079] The initially flat belt formed by the bent extruded tube can then be applied and deformed (bent) against the tank to come against and around the peripheral wall of the tank so as to encircle it. Optionally, an additional part of the condenser that extends the main coil and forms an additional coil can be placed against the lower part of the tank.

[0080] Attachment system

[0081] Preferably, an attachment system 4 is provided to allow the ends of the belt to be brought together or interlocked, which are formed, on the one hand, by the connecting elbows 313, 323 which link the winding elements 31, 32, 33 together and, on the other hand, by the internal elbows 311, 321, 331 of each winding element 31, 32, 33.

[0082] The fastening system 4 allows the belt formed by the condenser tube 3 to be tightened against the tank 2. In other words, the fastening system 4 acts on the condenser tube 3 in the direction of reducing the diameter of the winding elements around the tank to allow them to come as close as possible to the peripheral wall of the tank, preferably to press them against the tank.

[0083] The fastening system 4 includes, for example, attachment devices, each comprising two hooks connected to each other by a spring. One of the hooks is attached to one end of the belt and the other to the other end of the belt.

[0084] Alternatively, the belt formed by the main coil 38 of the tank can be mechanically tensioned around the tank by means of other clamping elements, such as hose clamps. Alternatively, or in combination, the belt can be fixed around the tank by welding, or by screwing if necessary.

[0085] Spacing retention device

[0086] According to one embodiment of the invention, the condenser tube 3 is provided with a spacing retaining device 5 which is fixed to the condenser tube 3 and which is configured to keep apart from each other the portions 310, 312, 320, 322, 330 of the winding elements 31, 32, 33, which are straight in the flat state of the bent tube, and which extend parallel to each other.

[0087] The spacing support device 5 may include bars that form uprights extending orthogonally to the straight portions of the condenser winding elements. These uprights of the spacing support device 5 may be hollow but are not traversed by a refrigerant fluid.

[0088] The spacing retention device 5 may include fastening elements assembled to the condenser tube by clipping, welding, friction, etc. The retention system may also include an adhesive film, an aluminum sheet or a net.

[0089] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the fastening system 4 can be attached to the spacing retaining device 5.

[0090] Example of a condenser embodiment

[0091] According to one embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in [Fig. 4], in flat view, the condenser tube can be formed so as to present, from the inlet to the outlet:

[0092] - a straight portion forming entrance 301;

[0093] - several winding elements 31, 32, 33 extending from one another others so as to form a main coil. The right portion of the inlet extending perpendicularly to the right parts of the winding elements 31, 32, 33;

[0094] - an additional lower serpentine-shaped portion 39 straight lines are perpendicular to the straight portions of the winding elements 31, 32, 33,

[0095] - a straight portion forming exit 399 which extends parallel to inlet 301 and goes up from lower part 39 to the level of the inlet 301 (above the first winding element 31 of the coil).

[0096] Of course, other forms are possible.

[0097] The invention thus makes it possible to obtain a condenser by deformation (bending) of an extruded tube to obtain at least one part which has a flat serpentine shape in order to put the condenser around the tank by bringing the condenser coil laterally and pressing it against the peripheral wall of the tank so that, with a single rotation of the tank, the tank is surrounded by the condenser (unlike the solution of the technique where a spiral winding of a tube around the tank would require as many rotations of the tank as there are turns to be made).

[0098] Indeed, the condenser tube can be preformed as explained above to present – ​​in a flat configuration – a main serpentine portion – which allows one face of the serpentine to be applied against the peripheral wall of the tank and to make The opposite lateral sections of this coil, defined by sets of bends curved in opposite directions, are joined or brought together by applying the condenser against the tank, thus encircling the tank with the condenser. This application of the pre-formed condenser tube can be carried out in a continuous production flow, at the rate of the water heater production line.

[0099] The invention thus makes it possible to: - to achieve a reduced cycle time, and thus a gain in productivity and production capacity; - to carry out the production of belts on the line side in order to simplify and minimize the number of belt references; -a possible automation of the placement of the belt on the tank, with a robot that holds and applies the belt against the tank while it rotates on itself, which brings a saving in direct labor costs; - an application of the belt on the tank in the production flow of the tank, which makes it possible to do without an intermediate storage area for the tanks.

[0100] In addition, the absence or reduced number of welds to produce the condenser formed by bending allows a reduction in the risk of refrigerant leakage from the condenser.

[0101] The same tube reference can be used to preform flat different sizes of condenser coil according to the size or shape of the tanks to be fitted with the condenser.

[0102] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims.

[0103] Furthermore, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps. In addition, features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the embodiments set out above may also be used in combination with other features or steps from other embodiments set out above.

Claims

Demands

1. Thermodynamic heating apparatus (1) comprising: - a tank (2) having a longitudinal axis (A2); - a heat pump system comprising a condenser (3) having a refrigerant inlet (301) and a refrigerant outlet (399), characterized in that, the condenser comprises an extruded tube through which the refrigerant is intended to circulate and which forms a belt around the tank (2), the tube comprising several winding elements (31, 32, 33), each winding element (31, 32, 33) comprising a first portion (310, 320, 330) of tube extending around a part of the circumference of the tank, around the longitudinal axis (A2) of the tank (2), followed by a U-shaped return (311, 321, 331), called the internal return, formed by bending the tube;the internal U-shaped return (311, 321, 331) being extended by a second portion (312, 322, 332) which develops, around a part of the circumference of the tank (2), around the longitudinal axis (A2) of the tank (2), in the opposite direction to the first portion (310, 320, 330), each winding element (31, 32, 33) being connected to another winding element (32, 33) by a U-shaped connecting return (313, 323) bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of each of the internal U-shaped returns (311, 321, 331) of the winding elements (31, 32, 33), in which the internal U-shaped return (311, 321, 331) of each winding element (31, 32, 33) extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane in which the first or second portion (310, 312, 320, 322, 330, 332) of tube extends.;

2. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the winding elements (31, 32, 33) and the U-shaped connecting returns (313, 323) are formed by a single tube without a joint, such as weld, which is shaped to obtain, in a flat position, a coil (38) which, in the applied state against the tank, forms the winding elements (31, 32, 33) and the connecting returns (313, 323) between the winding elements (31, 32, 33).

3. A thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet (301) is formed by a portion of a straight tube which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the tank (2), and which is extended by the first winding element (31).

4. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet (399) is formed by another straight portion of the tube which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) but is further away from the longitudinal axis (A2) than the inlet (301).

5. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extruded tube is made of aluminum or copper.

6. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube has a circular or D-shaped cross-section.

7. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the winding elements (31, 32, 33) and the connecting returns (311, 321, 331) form, in a flat configuration, a coil, called the main coil, which, in the applied state against the peripheral wall of the tank (2) forms a belt, one end of which is formed by the connecting returns (311, 321, 331) located on the same first side of the coil, and the opposite end of which is formed by the returns (313, 323, 333) located on the same second side of the coil, opposite the first side.

8. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the curved extruded tube of the condenser (3) also includes an additional coil (39), the straight parts of which are, in the flat configuration of the tube, orthogonal to the straight parts of the main coil (38), the additional coil being disposed between the outlet (399) and the main coil (38), and being applicable to the under wall (22) of the tank considered in the vertical position in the tank's operating configuration.

9. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermodynamic heating apparatus includes a holding system (5) configured to keep said portions (310, 312, 320, 322, 330, 332) of the winding elements (31, 32, 33) of the tube separated from each other so as to maintain the shape of the belt.

10. A thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermodynamic heating apparatus comprises clamping means (4) to bring the ends of the belt formed by the bent extruded tube together, to tighten the belt against the tank (2).

11. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 9 and claim 10, wherein the clamping means (4) are fixed on the holding system (5).

12. Thermodynamic heating apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the clamping means (4) comprise hooks and springs.

13. Method for automatically placing a bent extruded condenser tube (3) onto a tank (2) of a thermodynamic heating device (1), said tank (2) having a longitudinal axis (A2), preferably during a production cycle on a production line of the thermodynamic heating device (1), the method comprising the following steps: - supplying, in planar configuration, an extruded and bent tube, at least a part of which is formed into a coil (38); - bringing the coil (38) against the peripheral wall (20) of the tank (2);- rotation of the tank (2) and application of the coil (38) against the tank during rotation to encircle the tank (2) with the coil (38), so that, in the state applied against the tank, the coil (38) of the tube forms several winding elements (31, 32, 33), each winding element (31, 32, 33) comprising a first portion (310, 320, 330) of tube extending around a part of the circumference of the tank, around the longitudinal axis (A2) of the tank (2), followed by a U-shaped return (311, 321, 331), called internal return, formed by bending the tube;the U-shaped return (311, 321, 331) being extended by a second portion (312, 322, 332) which develops, around a part of the circumference of the tank (2), around the longitudinal axis (A2) of the tank (2), in the opposite direction to the first portion (310, 320, 330), the internal U-shaped return (311, 321, 331) of each winding element (31, 32, 33) extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane in which the first or second portion (310, 312, 320, 322, 330, 332) of tube extends; each winding element (31, 32, 33) being connected to another winding element (32, 33) by a U-shaped connecting return (313,;

14. 323) bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of each of the internal U-shaped returns of the winding elements (31, 32, 33); - fixing and / or tightening of the band formed by the coil around the tank. Method according to claim 13, wherein the coil (38) has portions of different cross-sections, said portions of the coil (38) being obtained, for example, by butt-joining several tube sections of different cross-sections or by deforming portions of the coil.

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