Distribution plate device for a heat pump

The distribution plate device for heat pumps addresses the complexity of heat pump installations by providing a modular, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solution for heat pump systems, facilitating quick installation and adaptable water distribution.

FR3156511B1Active Publication Date: 2026-06-05MB FINANCES

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
MB FINANCES
Filing Date
2023-12-07
Publication Date
2026-06-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The installation of heat pumps requires complex construction work, such as drilling through walls, and involves connecting pipes to radiators and bathrooms, which is time-consuming and often necessitates professional intervention.

Method used

A distribution plate device for a heat pump with four separate circuits (cold water inlet, hot water, heating return, and heating supply) and modular design, featuring components like valves, manifolds, and a support plate for efficient water distribution, allowing quick and flexible installation adaptable to existing systems.

Benefits of technology

Enables quick and aesthetically pleasing installation of heat pumps without complex adjustments, ensuring operational efficiency and safety through regulated water flow and pressure, while being adaptable to various heating needs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution plate device for a heat pump comprising a heat pump having a first cold water inlet, a second heating return inlet, a first hot water outlet, and a second outlet supplying a heater; notable in that it comprises: - a first cold water supply circuit (21) extending between a cold water inlet and the first cold water inlet of the heat pump; - a second hot water circuit (22) extending between the first hot water outlet and a hot water manifold (26); - a third circuit (23) extending between the second heating return inlet of the heat pump and a heating return manifold (27); - a fourth circuit (24) extending between the second outlet supplying a heater of the heat pump and a manifold supplying a heater (28); - a support plate (20) supporting the device. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1
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Description

Title of the invention: Distribution plate device for a heat pump Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution plate device for a heat pump. It is particularly applicable in the field of energy. Prior art

[0002] Nowadays, energy is used in our daily lives for various reasons. It is divided into two categories: renewable and non-renewable.

[0003] Humans seek multiple energy solutions for heating and for long-term living. They require innovative devices or systems that allow them to use energy.

[0004] This is the case with a heat pump, which is a heating and air conditioning system that transfers heat from one place to another, generally between the inside and outside of a building. The basic operation of a heat pump is based on the principle of compression and expansion of a refrigerant or water.

[0005] However, installing a heat pump has some disadvantages.

[0006] The installation of the connecting pipes may require construction work, such as drilling through walls.

[0007] During the construction of a house or building, the installation of the various components is carried out by professionals who need a certain amount of time to connect the heat pump to the various systems such as radiators and bathrooms. Presentation of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a totally innovative approach.

[0009] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a distribution platinum device for a heat pump

[0010] In particular, an objective of the invention is to provide such a technique making it possible to do away with any other complex adjustment system.

[0011] One objective of the invention is to provide such a device, which can be easily adapted to existing systems.

[0012] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved, according to a first aspect, by means of a distribution plate device for a heat pump, said device comprising a heat pump having a first water inlet cold, a second inlet / return for heating, a first hot water outlet, a second outlet supplying a heater; remarkable in that it includes; -a first cold water supply circuit extending between a cold water supply and the first cold water inlet of the heat pump, said first circuit comprising a cold water supply valve and a safety valve; -a second hot water circuit extending between the first hot water outlet and a hot water manifold comprising a plurality of hot water outlets; -a third circuit extending between the second heating return inlet of the heat pump and a heating return manifold, said heating return manifold having a plurality of inlets; -a fourth circuit extending between the second output supplying a heat pump heater and a manifold supplying a heating appliance; said manifold supplying a heating appliance comprising a plurality of outputs; - a support plate supporting the first cold water supply circuit, the second hot water circuit, the third circuit and the fourth circuit.

[0013] Thanks to these arrangements, the distribution plate for a heat pump has four separate circuits, isolating the cold water inlet, hot water, heating return, and the outlet supplying a heating system. A cold water inlet valve and a safety valve ensure flow regulation and system safety. Multiple manifolds for hot water, heating return, and heating supply allow for efficient distribution, while a support plate provides a stable structure for all the circuits. This modular design offers flexibility. This device allows for quick installation tailored to specific needs, thus contributing to operational efficiency while also being aesthetically pleasing.

[0014] The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically operative combination.

[0015] In one embodiment, the device includes a differential valve positioned between the heating return manifold and the manifold supplying a heating appliance.

[0016] Thanks to these provisions, the differential valve makes it possible to regulate the pressure or flow of the water according to the pressure difference between the heating return manifold and the manifold supplying a heating appliance.

[0017] In one embodiment, said first circuit includes a pressure reducer located downstream of the cold water inlet valve.

[0018] Thanks to these provisions, the pressure reducer makes it possible to limit the pressure coming out of the cold water inlet valve in the first cold water inlet circuit.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a disconnector disposed between the first cold water supply circuit and the third circuit.

[0020] Thanks to these provisions, the disconnector allows the heating network of the dwelling to be filled.

[0021] In one embodiment, the device includes a thermostatic mixer connecting the first cold water supply circuit with the second hot water circuit and the hot water manifold.

[0022] Thanks to these provisions, the thermostatic mixer makes it possible to limit the temperature of the hot water in the second hot water circuit.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second hot water circuit includes a temperature limiter mounted upstream of the hot water manifold.

[0024] Thanks to these provisions, the temperature of the hot water is limited for use.

[0025] In one embodiment, the third circuit includes a filter.

[0026] Thanks to these arrangements, the filter makes it possible to remove impurities from the water.

[0027] In one embodiment, the fourth circuit includes a degasser positioned upstream of the manifold supplying a heating device.

[0028] Thanks to these provisions, the degasser prevents the formation of bubbles in the fourth circuit which can disrupt the operation of the installation.

[0029] In one embodiment, said support plate is a sheet metal plate. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes and in no way as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Fig. 1 represents a distribution plate device for a heat pump. Description of the implementation methods

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a distribution plate device for a heat pump.

[0033] The device comprises the following elements: a first cold water supply circuit 21, a second hot water circuit 22, a third circuit 23, a fourth circuit 24, a support plate 20, and a heat pump.

[0034] There are inputs: EP (drinking water network), ECS for Domestic Hot Water from an output of the PAC (heat pump), Heating supply from an output of the PAC (heat pump).

[0035] There are outputs: EP (drinking water) to an inlet e of the PAC, Heating return to an inlet of the PAC.

[0036] In one variant, the plate is rectangular in shape. In another variant, the rectangular plate has recesses to reduce the overall weight.

[0037] The support plate 20 supports each circuit. A cutout is made in the plate to create a C-shaped support. Each support is positioned perpendicular to the support plate 20. The C-shape provides a collector housing. Each collector housing is cylindrical and has an opening. The opening is slightly rounded to avoid sharp edges. In one embodiment, the cylinder has a diameter of 32 mm.

[0038] The manifolds slide axially into their housing until they reach the correct position. They cannot come out once the fittings are in place.

[0039] The heat pump includes a first cold water inlet, a second heating return inlet, a first hot water outlet, and a second outlet supplying a heater.

[0040] The first water supply circuit is supplied by a cold water supply from an external system.

[0041] According to an example embodiment, the first circuit begins with the arrival of cold water in a cold water inlet valve 31 and then the cold water is directed in various directions.

[0042] According to one variant, the first cold water supply circuit 21 includes a pressure reducer 32 positioned downstream of the cold water supply valve 31.

[0043] The various directions of the cold water are: towards a cold water manifold 25, towards a safety valve 30, and towards a disconnector 33.

[0044] According to another variant, the cold water goes to a thermostatic mixer 36.

[0045] A thermostatic mixer 36 is a device used in systems of Plumbing to regulate water temperature. Unlike conventional taps, a thermostatic mixer tap 36 is equipped with a thermostatic cartridge which maintains a constant water temperature, even in the event of fluctuations in hot or cold water temperature.

[0046] This variant becomes necessary if the distribution network is made of plastic.

[0047] The cold water collector 25 will distribute cold water to sanitary appliances in a dwelling.

[0048] A safety valve 30 is a protective device used in various equipment and systems to prevent dangerous overpressures.

[0049] This safety valve 30 brings cold water to the first cold water inlet of the heat pump.

[0050] A backflow preventer 33 is a component used in plumbing systems to prevent the unwanted return of contaminated or polluted water to the potable water supply. Its main role is to ensure physical separation between potable water and water that may be contaminated.

[0051] According to an example carried out, the disconnector 33 allows the filling of the heating network of the dwelling.

[0052] The second hot water circuit 22 brings hot water from the first hot water outlet of the heat pump to a hot water manifold 26.

[0053] The hot water manifold 26 has a plurality of hot water outlets and allows the distribution of hot water to the sanitary appliances of the dwelling.

[0054] According to one variant, the second hot water circuit 22 includes a temperature limiter positioned upstream of the hot water manifold 26.

[0055] The second hot water circuit 22 is connected with the thermostatic mixer 36 of the first cold water supply circuit 21.

[0056] The third circuit 23 extends between the second heating return inlet of the heat pump and a heating return manifold 27.

[0057] According to one variant, the third circuit 23 includes a filter 34 configured to clean the heating water before the water arrives in the heat pump.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the disconnector 33 is connected with the third circuit 23.

[0059] The fourth circuit 24 extends between the second output supplying a heater of the heat pump and a manifold supplying a heating device.

[0060] According to one variant, the fourth circuit 24 includes a degasser 35.

[0061] The degasser 35 is designed to prevent the formation of bubbles in the fourth circuit 24 which can disrupt the operation of the installation.

[0062] The heating return manifold 27 and the manifold supplying a heating appliance 28 are connected via a differential valve 29.

[0063] A differential valve 29 is a particular type of valve designed to regulate the pressure or flow of a fluid as a function of the pressure difference between two specific points in a system.

[0064] Naturally, the invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0065] It is emphasized that all features, as they are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, drawings and attached features, even if in practice they have only been described in relation to other specific features, both individually and in any combinations, can be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or meaningless. List of reference signs

[0066] [Tables 1] References Designations 20 Support plate 21 First cold water inlet circuit 22 Second hot water circuit 23 Third circuit 24 Fourth circuit 25 Cold water manifold 26 Hot water manifold 27 Heating return manifold 28 Manifold supplying a heating appliance 29 Differential valve 30 Safety valve 31 Cold water inlet valve 32 Pressure reducing valve 33 Backflow preventer 34 Filter 35 Deaerator 36 Thermostatic mixing valve

Claims

Demands

1. Distribution plate device for a heat pump, said device comprising a heat pump having a first cold water inlet, a second heating return inlet, a first hot water outlet, a second outlet supplying a heater; characterized in that it comprises: - a first cold water supply circuit (21) comprising a cold water inlet extending between said cold water inlet and the first cold water inlet of the heat pump, said first circuit comprising a cold water inlet valve (31) and a safety valve (30); - a second hot water circuit (22) comprising a hot water manifold and extending between the first hot water outlet and said hot water manifold (26) comprising a plurality of hot water outlets;- a third circuit (23) comprising a heating return manifold and extending between the second heating return inlet of the heat pump and said heating return manifold (27), said heating return manifold (27) comprising a plurality of inlets; - a fourth circuit (24) comprising a manifold supplying a heating appliance and extending between the second outlet supplying a heater of the heat pump and said manifold supplying a heating appliance (28); said manifold supplying a heating appliance (28) comprising a plurality of outlets; the fourth circuit (24) comprises a deaerator (35) positioned upstream of the manifold supplying a heating appliance; - a support plate (20) supporting the first cold water inlet circuit (21), the second hot water circuit (22), the third circuit (23) and the fourth circuit (24);- a disconnector (33) placed between the first cold water supply circuit (21) and the third circuit (23).;

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a differential valve (29) positioned between the heating return manifold (27) and the manifold supplying a heating appliance.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first circuit comprises a pressure reducer (32) located downstream of the cold water inlet valve (31).

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a thermostatic mixer (36) connecting the first cold water supply circuit (21) with the second hot water circuit (22) and the hot water manifold (26).

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second hot water circuit (22) includes a temperature limiter mounted upstream of the hot water manifold (26).

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the third circuit (23) includes a filter (34).

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein said support plate (20) is a sheet metal plate.