Heat pumps, especially heat pumps for constructing water loop plants

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat pump, particularly for constructing a water loop plant. The heat pump includes a carrier body (2), a cooling circuit (5) received in the carrier body and including an air-to-fluid heat exchange battery (6), and a water system group (7) for heat exchange connection to a primary circuit (8). The carrier body includes at least a first box-shaped member (3) and a second box-shaped member (4). The first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member are spaced apart from each other. A primary space (11) is defined between the first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member, in which the air-to-fluid heat exchange battery is received. Each box-shaped member defines a respective secondary space (12). A compressor (13) and a water system group are respectively mounted in the secondary space. The compressor and the water system group are connected to each other by a pipe extending through the primary space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump of the type comprising the features set out in the preamble of the main claim, in particular a heat pump for building a water loop plant. [Background technology]

[0002] German Patent Application No. 102008016577 describes a heat pump 2B having an air-air exchanger 15 used to circulate a thermal liquid for a radiator plant 38, as shown in FIG.

[0003] However, this heat pump 2B is not suitable for use in water loop plants, since in such plants there is generally no water system used to exchange heat with the primary circuit for transfer to the air-to-fluid heat exchange battery that serves to introduce the exchanged heat into the conditioned environment.

[0004] WO2020207785 describes a split-type plant used for producing hot sanitary water. In this case, the water loop plant generally does not have a water group used for heat exchange with the primary circuit to transfer the exchanged heat to an air-fluid heat exchange battery that serves to introduce the exchanged heat into the conditioned environment. Therefore, there is no device useful for using the plant of WO2020207785 in a water loop system.

[0005] The water loop plant includes a primary water circuit in which water circulates as a thermal convection fluid, and a plurality of heat pumps in heat exchange with the primary water circuit, and the thermal energy distributed by the primary water circuit can be used to heat or cool a corresponding plurality of environments.

[0006] For this purpose, the heat pump is provided with a secondary water group including heat exchangers connected to both the primary circuit and the refrigeration circuit in order to utilize the thermal energy available in the primary circuit and to transfer the thermal energy to the environment to be treated.

[0007] In the following context, the term "secondary water system group" is used to generically define a group that includes one or more gas-to-water heat exchangers, as well as potential connectors, valves and pipe fittings on the gas side of the cooling circuit.

[0008] The heat pumps that have been used to date in water loop plants have a number of drawbacks.

[0009] Firstly, quiet operation is especially important for equipment installed within the environment to be treated. Unfortunately, this is extremely difficult to achieve in compressor-based cooling plants, as the vibrations generated by the compressor are dissipated in the carrier structure.

[0010] Additionally, there is a need to minimize the overall size of the equipment, a requirement that is also difficult to meet due to the large number of components in both the secondary water group and the cooling circuit that must interact with each other.

[0011] The compromises made in known devices to date have always compromised one or the other of these requirements, with currently available devices being either relatively bulky or unacceptably noisy. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The technical problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a heat pump that is structurally and functionally configured to at least partially overcome one or more of the drawbacks described with reference to the prior art mentioned above, that is suitable for efficient installation in water loop plants, and that is configured to achieve substantially reduced dimensions and a very high level of operational noise reduction.

[0013] In this regard, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump in which parts and components are particularly easy to access for installation and maintenance.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump having very compact dimensions.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a heat pump for the above-mentioned purpose, the body of which is particularly rigid and less susceptible to transmitting vibration phenomena.

[0016] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump having an advantageously economical construction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] The above-mentioned problems are at least partially solved by the present invention, and the above-mentioned and other objects are at least partially achieved by a heat pump constructed according to one or more of the features described below.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, a heat pump, in particular a heat pump for constructing a water loop plant, comprises: The carrier body, a cooling circuit received within the carrier body and including an air-to-fluid heat exchange battery; a water group provided for heat exchange connection to the primary circuit; Equipped with.

[0019] Preferably, the carrier body comprises at least a first box-shaped member and a second box-shaped member spaced apart from one another to define a primary space between them in which the air-to-fluid heat exchange battery is received, which configuration results in a compact carrier structure and allows for optimal assembly of the remaining components of the cooling group.

[0020] Preferably, each box-shaped member defines a respective secondary space in which a compressor and a water group are mounted, respectively. Preferably, the cooling circuit includes a compressor. This aspect of the invention also aids in physical component separation and size optimization, allowing the secondary spaces to be optimized for their respective functions.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the compressor and the water group are connected to each other by pipes that extend through the primary space, and the resulting spacing allows the use of an arrangement that can simplify both the assembly and maintenance of the heat pump.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one (and preferably both) of the box-shaped elements has at least two contiguous sides arranged in a substantially square shape, which provides optimal stiffness to the carrier body and is particularly advantageous for reducing compressor noise.

[0023] By constructing the box-shaped member described above to have a one-piece structure along the continuous sides, particularly by using a press bending process, the structure of the carrier body is simplified, while strong ribs are formed, providing additional rigidity, and the product can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner that facilitates assembly of the components.

[0024] Preferably, the box member (or more preferably both box members) includes an additional third side joining consecutive sides at the same end, which provides a partially closed configuration that further improves the stiffness of the compressor support and reduces noise.

[0025] In this case, it is further preferred that the compressors are fixed to the respective box-shaped members by means of box-shaped housings arranged in the corresponding secondary spaces, as this solution optimizes the stiffness of the compressor support, which is an important factor contributing to the reduction of noise and vibration.

[0026] In one embodiment, the box-shaped housing includes a base, a back, and a roof opposite the base. The base and roof are fixed on both continuous sides. In this way, the box-shaped housing of the compressor itself contributes to increasing the overall rigidity.

[0027] When the box-shaped housing has an integral structure obtained by press bending, its structure and assembly become very easy.

[0028] Furthermore, this arrangement makes it easier to construct edges on the base, back and roof of the box-shaped housing that form the peripheral rib.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear of the box-shaped housing defines a vent pipe, which preferably receives a radiator, for example belonging to the electronic control circuit board of the heat pump, which preferably contains the power supply circuit for the inverter control of the compressor.

[0030] The effect can be further improved by applying a forced ventilation means to the ventilation pipe, which preferably comprises an electric fan. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a heat pump according to the present invention with the panels removed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the heat pump of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing components of the main body of the heat pump of FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing components of the main body of the heat pump of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a semi-finished product of the components of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the details of FIGS. 1 to 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the details of FIGS. 1 to 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the details of FIGS. 1 to 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heat pump of FIGS. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heat pump of FIGS. 1 to 8, further including a transfer tube. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a detail of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In the figure, a heat pump is generally designated by the reference number 1. Preferably, the heat pump 1 is intended to be mounted in a water loop plant and comprises a carrier body 2 having at least one first box-shaped member 3 and a second box-shaped member 4.

[0033] Furthermore, the heat pump 1 comprises a cooling circuit 5 accommodated in the carrier body 2. The cooling circuit 5 comprises a cooling air-fluid heat exchange battery 6. Furthermore, a water group 7 is provided for a heat exchange connection between the cooling circuit 5 and a primary circuit 8, which is diagrammatically represented by a delivery pipe 9 and a return pipe 10. In this water group 7, a primary fluid, for example constituted by water and circulating at an approximately constant temperature, is circulated in a known manner.

[0034] 3, box members 3 and 4 are disposed in a spaced relationship to one another to define a primary space 11 therebetween. Primary space 11 receives cooling air-to-fluid heat exchange battery 6, as well as an electric fan 20 operated by motor 14 and operatively arranged to direct airflow across battery 6. Preferably, fan 20 is of the variable speed tangential type and is supported by bearings 15 in each of box members 3 and 4 at the bottom of primary space 11 (relative to the assembled position of FIG. 3).

[0035] Preferably, each box-shaped member 3 and 4 defines a respective secondary space 12. In these secondary spaces 12, compressors 13 of the cooling circuit 5 and the water group 7, respectively, are mounted.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the compressor and water group are connected to each other by both hydraulic piping (for the compressed refrigerant fluid) and electrical piping, which will be described in more detail below, extending through the primary space 11. The spacing provided by this allows for an arrangement which simplifies both assembly and maintenance of the heat pump.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably both, of the box-shaped members 3 and 4 have at least two consecutive first and second sides 15 and 16 arranged in a substantially square pattern, which provides optimum stiffness to the carrier body and is particularly advantageous for reducing compressor noise.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably both, of the box-shaped members 3 and 4 has at least a third side 17 which serves to close the top (see the respective assembled positions of the box-shaped members in FIG. 3).

[0039] Furthermore, the box-shaped member 4 has a fourth side surface 18 that is continuous with the side surface 16. Preferably, the continuous side surfaces 15, 16, 17 and 18 are integrally constructed for press-bending the respective semi-finished products 19.

[0040] The blank 19 used to form the box-shaped member 3 has three openings 21, 22, and 23, respectively at the bottom, middle, and top. A lip 24 is provided below the side 15, and this lip 24 is used to secure the blank 19 to a base (not shown) as needed.

[0041] Referring particularly to FIG. 7 , a box-shaped housing 25 is fixed to both side surfaces 15 and 16, and is positioned in the corresponding secondary space 12. The box-shaped housing 25 is attached to the first side surface 15 by lugs 27 and 28 like a backpack. The box-shaped housing 25 has a base 2, a back 30, and a roof 31 that are continuous with one another and preferably integral, and are preferably formed by press bending with an edge 32 forming a peripheral rib. Preferably, the back 30 is formed by three continuous sections 30a, 30b, and 30c, two of which (30a, 30c) are parallel to one another. The box-shaped housing is further fixed to both the first and second side surfaces of the box-shaped element 3 by screws or the like, which further increases the overall rigidity.

[0042] The compressor 13 is provided with a base 34, which has a number of lugs 35 that serve to support the respective anti-vibration supports 36. The lugs 35 are obtained by upward plastic deformation of the base 34 or by plastic deformation, for example by stamping, of the carrier body of the compressor 13 itself. This, on the one hand, results in a rib effect of the base 34, which results in increased rigidity, and, on the other hand, reduces the overall axial dimension of the compressor 13 when it is mounted on the anti-vibration supports. This further contributes to vibration damping and high rigidity of the assembly.

[0043] The secondary space 12 also accommodates the electronic control unit of the heat pump 1. In particular, one or more control circuit boards 37 are received above the roof part 31, and a power supply circuit 38 with an associated radiator 39 is mounted on a ventilation pipe (64) defined between the back part 30 and a lateral casing 41 of the carrier body. An electric fan 40 is mounted on the lateral casing 41. The electric fan 40 is provided with a deflector 42 for directing a forced air flow towards the radiator 39. In this way, the structure of the carrier body 2 further performs the function of providing cooling air for the electronic power unit of the heat pump 1.

[0044] In the opposite secondary space 12, a water group 7 with a cooling water / gas exchanger 43 is installed, the water side of which is connected by respective pipes 46 and 47 to the delivery pipe 9 and return pipe 10 of the primary circuit, and the gas side is connected by pipes 44 and 45 to the compressor 13 and the heat exchange battery 6. In the line of the pipes 44 and 45 there is interposed a three-way valve 49 which is used in a manner known per se to reverse the summer / winter operation of the heat pump 1.

[0045] Preferably, the pipes 46 and 47, together with their respective pipe unions 48, pass through an area 49a of the secondary space 12 provided below the water group for receiving the respective connectors of the primary circuit 8. Similarly, an area 49b is symmetrically formed in the carrier body 2 below the compressor 13. In this way, the heat pump can be installed equally well whether the connectors of the primary circuit are located on one side of the body or on the other, or whether they are located in each of the areas 49a and 49b. However, in these last two cases, the respective transfer pipes 50 connecting the pipes 46 and 47 of the water group 7 to the connectors of the primary circuit 8 are provided to be used from the area 49a of the secondary space to the opposite area 49b through the primary space 11.

[0046] Advantageously, these transfer tubes 50 (see FIG. 10) can be received in respective passages 51 formed in an adapter 52, preferably made from an insulating expandable material, provided in the lower part of the primary space 11 immediately above the fan 20.

[0047] Preferably, the housing 54 for the adapter 52 has the form of a fan diffuser 55 behind an outlet opening 56. The same outlet opening 56 has a curved end lip 57 so as to form a first deflector for the air being delivered towards the battery 6. A short distance in front of the outlet opening 56 is arranged a second deflector 58, the purpose of which is to direct part of the delivered air towards the bottom of the battery 6.

[0048] Finally, the structure is provided with an external covering wall that forms the exterior of the device and has a lower opening 59 and an upper opening 60. A grill 61 is provided in the upper opening 60. A receiver 62 for receiving condensation is arranged below the battery 6. The receiver 62 is connected to a condensation discharge line 63.

Claims

1. A heat pump for a water loop plant, the heat pump being arranged with a water system group for heat exchange with a primary circuit of the water loop plant in which a heat exchange fluid circulates; a carrier body (2); a cooling circuit (5) received within said carrier body and including an air-to-fluid heat exchange battery (6); the water group (7) provided for heat exchange connection to the primary circuit (8), the carrier body comprises at least a first box-shaped member (3) and a second box-shaped member (4), the first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member being spaced apart from each other, a primary space (11) being defined between the first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member in which the air-fluid heat exchange battery is received, a secondary space (12) being defined in each of the first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member, a compressor (13) and the water system group being mounted in each of the secondary spaces, the compressor and the water system group being connected to each other by a pipe extending through the primary space. heat pump.

2. 2. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein at least one of the box-shaped members has at least two consecutive first and second sides arranged in a substantially square shape.

3. The heat pump according to claim 2 , wherein the box-shaped member is integral along the continuous side surface.

4. The heat pump according to claim 3 , wherein the box-shaped member is integral and obtained by press bending.

5. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the box-shaped member has a third side surface (17) connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, which are continuous.

6. The heat pump of claim 5 , wherein the third side is integral with one of the first side and the second side that are contiguous.

7. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the compressors are fixed in their respective secondary spaces by box-shaped housings (25) fixed to the corresponding box-shaped members.

8. 8. The heat pump of claim 7, wherein the box-shaped housing includes a base (29), a back (30), and a roof (31) opposite the base, the base and the roof being fixed to both of the continuous side surfaces of each of the box-shaped members.

9. 9. The heat pump according to claim 8, wherein the box-shaped housing is one piece and is obtained by press bending.

10. 10. A heat pump according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the base, back and roof of the box-shaped housing are bounded by peripheral ribs (32).

11. A heat pump according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the box-shaped housing defines a ventilation pipe (64).

12. 12. A heat pump according to claim 11, wherein a radiator (39) is received within the ventilation pipe.

13. A heat pump according to claim 11 or 12, wherein forced ventilation means (40) are associated with said ventilation pipes.

14. 14. The heat pump according to claim 1, wherein the water group (7) comprises a cooling water / gas exchanger (43) whose water side is connected to the delivery pipe (9) and return pipe (10) of the primary circuit by respective pipes (46, 47) and whose gas side is connected to the compressor (13) and the heat exchange battery (6), the pipes (46, 47) passing through an area (49a) of the secondary space (12) provided below the water group for receiving respective connectors of the primary circuit (8).

15. 15. A heat pump according to claim 14, wherein second regions (49b) are formed symmetrically in the carrier body (2) below the compressor (13), so that the heat pump can be installed equally well with the connectors of the primary circuit arranged on one side of the carrier body or on the other side, or with a connector of the primary circuit arranged in each of the regions (49a, 49b).

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